US122.7 MILLION NEEDED TO HELP CHILDREN IN HAITI

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Children’s Fund
(Unicef) has launched a "2010 Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal" in Malaysia to
support its global appeal for RM410 million (US$122.7 million).

In a statement here Monday, Unicef said that the funds raised would be used
to help children and families who survived the devastating earthquake that
rocked Haiti on Jan 12.

Unicef's request was part of a United Nations appeal for RM 1.9 billion
(US$562 million), launched last Friday, to facilitate humanitarian operations
for the next six months in one of the poorest countries on earth, it said.

Haiti ranked 148 out of 179 countries on the United Nations Development
Programme’s Human Development Index.

It has a long history of being struck by one natural disaster after another,
and is struggling to recover from years of violence, insecurity and instability.

"The focus in the days and weeks ahead is to prevent a second wave of
disaster
by ensuring against any outbreak of diarrhoeal infections and life-threatening
diseases. In this case, water saves lives," it said.

Besides supplies already in the country, Unicef is currently organising aid
from its pre-positioned regional stocks in Panama and additional shipments are
being dispatched from the agency's central warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Those who wish to donate in Malaysian ringgit can do so through credit card
via Unicef's secure online donation site, crossed cheques and bank transfers
(Maybank Account No. 514329427587).

Unicef can be reached at 603-20959154 for further information.

-- BERNAMA