HAITI Earthquake Solidarity Fund

TO ALL MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
TO THE EI EXECUTIVE BOARD
TO THE EI REGIONAL OFFICES

Brussels, 14 January 2010

Dear Colleagues,

Re: HAITI Earthquake Solidarity Fund - Urgent Action Appeal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Education International, concerned about the humanitarian impact of the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti earlier this week, has launched a Special Fund to help the families of teachers who have been affected and to support our member organisation CNEH, the Confédération National des Enseignants d’Haïti, to re-establish its work of caring for teachers and promoting education.

Communication is extremely difficult but Education International is doing its best to establish contact with colleagues in Haiti. Initial reports suggest that the destruction and loss of life is considerable. The Haiti Press Network reports that many school buildings have collapsed and that hundreds of students are trapped under the rubble. The President of Haiti, René Préval has described a bleak situation to the Miami Herald, saying “Schools have collapsed. There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them.”

Our thoughts are with the survivors and people of Haiti during this difficult time. Immediate rescue efforts are vital and humanitarian aid agencies must be supported in their work. The long-term impact of the earthquake is immense and EI is committed to assisting CNEH so that they can support teachers, students and communities in their task of rebuilding their lives and returning to work and school.

We urge member organisations to demonstrate solidarity with Haitian colleagues and contribute to the EI Solidarity Fund. Donations can be transferred to the following account:

Education International “Fonds de Solidarité”
ING Bank
Rue du Trône, 14-16
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Account number: 310-1006170-75
IBAN: BE05 3101 0061 7075
SWIFT OR BIC CODE: BBRUBEBB

EI will continue efforts to liaise with Haitian colleagues to assess the impact on schools, teachers and students so as to determine how best to contribute to alleviating the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Updates will be available on the EI website. Unions interested in further information on EI plans for assistance should contact Nicólas Richards, EI Senior Coordinator, Solidarity and Development Unit at nicolas.richards@ei-ie.org.

Yours sincerely,

Fred van Leeuwen
General Secretary