Watch the RTÉ News Haiti Special

Haiti in pictures: A selection of the powerful photographs which have emerged from Haiti in the days following the earthquake

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January was the most powerful to hit the impoverished Caribbean state in almost two centuries.

  • 200,000 families - up to one million people - are in need of immediate shelter and non-food assistance
  • 370,000 people affected by the quake are living in makeshift shelters in Port-au-Prince alone
  • Up to 90% of buildings in the town of Leogane, near the epicentre of the quake, were destroyed
  • An initial EU assessment found that more than 4,000 structures were destroyed or damaged in Port-au-Prince
  • Nearly two dozen countries have reported nationals dead or missing, with 500 UN workers still unaccounted for
  • Some 43 international search and rescue teams are currently operating in Haiti
  • Over 2,600 US troops are at work in Haiti, with another 5,000 stationed on vessels offshore
  • More than $1.2 billion has so far been pledged in aid globally, according to UN data

Listen to Morning Ireland's coverage of the earthquake in Haiti as the scale of the destruction became clear.

Washington Correspondent Charlie Bird reports on the devastation in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas and documents the difficulties faced by relief teams.

A Hundred Dead People In My Truck: In 2008, RTÉ Correspondent Jim Fahy and producer Caroline Bleahen travelled to Haiti to report on the work of two Irish women who have been battling to save the lives of some of the poorest people in the region.

The programme focuses on the job done by Westport-born child care specialist Gena Heraty and Dr Louise Ivers, from Whitehall in Dublin. Watch the full documentary

Prime Time examines the ongoing relief operation in Haiti and ponders the future for Haiti, already one of the poorest nations in the western hemisphere.


David OrrDavid Orr, UN World Food Programme, talks about the aftermath of the earthquake and how the UN is coping with so many destitute people.


View a selection of photos taken by staff from Oxfam Ireland and Médecins Sans Frontières in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. Oxfam | Médecins Sans Frontières

Oxfam is involved in the distribution of water to tens of thousands of displaced earthquake survivors in Haiti. Watch a short film from Port-au-Prince


Donation information

Mobile phone customers with O2, Vodafone, Meteor or 3 can donate €5 to the UNICEF Ireland or Concern Haiti appeals by texting either UNICEF or CONCERN to 57500.

The donation will automatically be deducted from the customer's account and directed in full to the customer's chosen charity. Customers will receive two text messages to confirm their donation.

Concern Worldwide, is accepting donations on 1850-410510 or through Concern.net.

People can donate to Oxfam by calling 1850-304055 (NI 0800-0304055), by visiting OxfamIreland.org, or at their local Oxfam Ireland shop.

GOAL is accepting donations from the public. Call 01-2809779 or visit Goal.ie.

UNICEF Ireland has launched an emergency appeal for the children of Haiti. Donations can be made on Unicef.ie or by calling 01-8783000.

Médecins Sans Frontières can be contacted on 1800 905 509 and is also accepting donations on MSF.ie

Trócaire has also appealed for funds. To donate, visit Trocaire.org or call 1850-408408 (NI: 0800-9121200).

The Irish Red Cross launched an emergency appeal also, donations are being accepted online at Redcross.ie or by calling 1850-507070.

Haven is appealing for funds for its emergency earthquake relief. You can donate securely via www.havenpartnership.com or cheques can be sent to Haven, the Malthouse, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. Alternatively, call 01-4333930.

World Vision Ireland has launched a Haiti Earthquake appeal and is accepting donations online at www.worldvision.ie or by calling 1850-366283.

Christian Aid has launched an appeal and released €100,000 to help local partner organisations in Haiti. To donate please call [Dublin] 01-6110801 or [Belfast] 028-90381204 or at ChristianAid.ie.

CBM Ireland is also accepting donations and can be contacted on 1800-225225 or CBM.ie

Contact Plan Ireland on 1800-829829 or Plan.ie

Irish aid agencies, working together through Dóchas, have also launched an information website. www.HowYouCanHelp.ie shows how the general public can assist victims of major disasters.

Samaritan's Purse needs urgent support in responding to the Haiti earthquake. Donate to Samaritan's Purse Ireland's Haiti fund at www.samaritanspurse.ie or call 01-2940222.

Irish aid workers in Haiti, Gena Heraty and Dr Louise Ivers, are contactable through the following websites.

Gena Heraty/ NPH International: www.nph.org

Dr Louise Ivers/Partners in Health: www.pih.org