A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Haitian coast on the 12th January at 5pm rocking the capital and neighbouring countries. More aftershocks are expected in the upcoming hours. Homes, schools and hospitals have been destroyed. Children will be the hardest hit by this disaster; they are still trapped under rubble while others are wandering the streets traumatised. Children urgently need emergency health care, shelter, clean water and psychosocial support. Temporary schools are also likely to be needed in the medium-term. Plan has been working in Haiti for 30 years. Our long-term engagement with communities means we’re ideally placed to know what communities may need to help people to recover, re-establish their lives and move on from this devastating earthquake. We are carrying out assessments of the situation and will be coordinating with the government and other charities to ensure immediate urgent needs are met such as access to emergency shelter and blankets, clean water, and tools. Medium and longer term, Plan may also provide educational opportunities and psychosocial support for traumatised children as a result of the earthquakes. Plan is hoping to raise at least £100,000.