We here in the UK moan about our weather but we do not ever have to cope with the kind of event that struck Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, on 12 January 2010.
The International Community has responded quickly by sending aid directly to Haiti but due to a comination of factors the aid has not reached those in need as quickly as anyone would have wished.
From the comfort of our own homes many of us in Scotland have responded to the tragic events by donating money directly to the various International Aid Agencies and we are delighted that this has been, and continues to be, done.
However, very many Scottish Freemasons have asked how best to contribute to the relief of those caught up in this disaster. The Grand Master Mason has issued a letter explaining how best Freemasons ought to respond to the tragedy. To download the letter (a PDF file) click here or on previous links.
You are encouraged to give as generously as you feel able.
Some Haiti Earthquake Facts
• The quake struck on January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m.
• The 7.0 magnitude quake's epicentre hit just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince and its 2 million inhabitants.
• 3 million people in need of emergency aid after major earthquake.
• The major quake sent 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9.
• The Red Cross dispatched a relief team from Geneva and the UN's World Food Program is flying in two planes with emergency food aid.
• The Inter-American Development Bank said it was immediately approving a $200,000 grant for emergency aid.
• Some 9,000 peacekeepers have been in Haiti since 2004, including 1,266 Brazilians.
• Haiti has no meaningful construction standards.
• November 2008: Following the collapse of a school in Petionville, the mayor of Port-au-Prince estimated about 60% of buildings were shoddily built and unsafe in normal circumstances.
