Mennonite committee urges cash for Haiti

The Manitoba chapter of a faith-based disaster relief organization is making an appeal to the public for donations to assist with relief efforts in Haiti.

The best way for the public to assist people in the earthquake-ravaged country is by giving cash, said Peter Remple, the executive director of the provincial Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

Remple said it's too soon after the natural disaster for people to donate items such as blankets, and it will take at least a week to sort out what material items may need needed, and in what supply.

"Things are in chaos and we're just sort of putting the pieces together there," Rempel said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Haiti was rocked by a 7.0-magnitude quake. The country's capital, Port-au-Prince, is in ruins.

Shattered communication systems in the Caribbean country made it impossible to immediately determine the number of casualties from the Tuesday afternoon quake, but an International Red Cross official estimated that three million people in the impoverished country of nine million may have been affected and could need emergency aid.

The team includes Winnipeg's Willy Reimer, who heads up the team's food and disaster response component.

Remple said the MCC has a disaster response team made up of relief specialists from across North America. Wednesday, the team was working with Haitian counterparts to figure out exactly what's needed to assist people there.

Man. government announces donation

Donations are being accepted through the MCC's website. People can also contact the organization toll-free at 1-888-622-6337.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger pledged a $100,000 donationto theManitoba Council for International Co-operation (MCIC), which he saidwill ensure the money will be used for aid and reconstruction in Haiti.

"Nature has struck a cruel blow to a nation that already faced many challenges to provide for its citizens," Selinger said in a statement. "It is important that Manitoba do its part to help the people of Haiti in their time of need."

The MennoniteCentral Committeeis one of 37 organizations that make up the MCIC.

The MCICis described by the province asan independent coalition of development organizations that oversees the distribution of development dollars. It works with member organizations to identify on-the-ground needs and acts to ensure assistance is distributed fairly and where it can provide the most benefit.