InsRelief flights sent by the Red Cross Red Crescent arrived in Haiti yesterday carrying essential humanitarian assistance for the thousands of people affected by the severe floods caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne.

At least five planes are due to arrive in Haiti bringing in over 60 tonnes of relief materials in support of the Haitian Red Cross emergency operation for thousands whose homes have been destroyed.

The first two aircraft arrived on Wednesday. An International Federation flight from its relief warehouse in Panama brought 21 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, including blankets, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting and kitchen equipment, while the Canadian Red Cross sent a cargo of blankets and tarpaulins.

Two more relief flights are planned for today: The Spanish Red Cross, with Spanish government assistance, is flying in 13 tonnes of humanitarian aid including hygiene kits, jerry cans, a potable water plant and other relief items. The French Red Cross is also sending a consignment of relief goods.

Another flight, sent jointly by the French and Swiss Red Cross Societies, will arrive tomorrow, with kitchen sets, blankets, plastic sheeting and water purification tablets on board.

Also scheduled to arrive in the next 48 hours is a joint French and Spanish Red Cross Logistics Emergency Response Unit (ERU), which will ensure there are no bottlenecks as emergency material arrive and will provide support to relief distributions. Another joint Spanish and French ERU specialised in water and sanitation - a priority in post-flood situations - is also going to be sent in the coming days.

"This emergency response coming on these planes complements the work already being done on the ground by Red Cross," said the head of the Federation's Americas department, Santiago Gil. "A field assessment team from the International Federation will arrive today. They will be able to give us a better idea of the scale of the disaster and the needs of the population, who were already in a vulnerable state before these latest floods came."

The International Federation, which yesterday launched an appeal for 4.2 million Swiss francs (US$ 3.3 million or 2.7 million euros) to provide assistance for up to 40,000 people, is coordinating its work closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as other Red Cross societies already operating in the country in support of the Haitian Red Cross.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.ifrc.org which is updated regularly.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
Eva M. Calvo,
Press Officer -
Tel: + 41 22 730 43 57 / + 41 79 217 33 72
Duty Phone: + 41 79 416 3881