On 12 January 2010 at 17.00 hours local time a major earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti. The earthquake, which is the worst to hit Haiti in more than two hundred years, struck 15km south west of the country’s capital Port-au-Prince and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. The worst affected area is Haiti’s West Province with a population of 2.2 million, but tremors have been reported across the region. According to US Geological Survey, up to three million people may have been affected. Hundreds of people are feared dead with many more still trapped in the rubble after the earthquake caused public buildings and homes to collapse. Thousands of panic-stricken people are also sleeping on the streets amid fears of aftershocks. Port-au-Prince is reported to be in darkness after power lines were cut, and rescuers are being forced to search for survivors under torch light. Phone lines have also been disrupted, hindering communication with people in the worst-affected areas. In Haiti, local Red Cross volunteers have been in the worst-affected areas, helping the injured and supporting hospitals, which are struggling to cope with the increasing numbers of people that are being admitted. In Port-au-Prince, the Haitian Red Cross is providing families with emrgency supplies, consisting of kitchen sets, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has sent specialists in disaster response, health, and logistics to support the Haitian Red Cross in the relief efforts and has emergency supplies for 3,000 families already in Haiti with further aid expected to arrive from its regional warehouse in Panama imminently. The British Red Cross has already released £200,000 from its Disaster Fund, but as so much more will be needed, we have launched an emergency appeal to help the response. Hundreds of people have been affected by the earthquake and are in desperate need of emergency shelter, medical and healthcare and clean drinking water. We are urgently appealing for your support. Please help us by giving what you can today.