ACF’s immediate priority is to ensure its entire staff is safe. The organisation’s offices have been severely damaged, many of its supplies have been destroyed and communication channels are down. ACF teams on the ground are preparing to assess the damage and evaluate the needs of the survivors. ACF is also preparing to transport relief supplies, such as water treatment stations and cars from Gonaives to Port au Prince.

“The extent of the devastation is still unclear in the country’s capital, Port au Prince,” said Action Against Hunger’s Executive Director, Jean Michel Grand. But for a country already contending with endemic poverty and an insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure, the effects of this earthquake are catastrophic. “Our teams are extremely concerned for the survivors’ welfare, particularly, access to safe drinking water and food supplies. Chronic malnutrition rates in the country are already high, and it is likely that food supplies have been destroyed.”

The humanitarian organisation has been present in Haiti since 1985, implementing nutrition and health programmes and since 2001, primarily water and sanitation programmes. Over the past three years, ACF has launched emergency operations in Gonaives, Anse Rouge and Jeremie.

Action Against Hunger has launched a public emergency appeal. Call 08456 003618 or visit www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk.