N.L. to send $1M to Haiti

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti, which was hit by a devastating earthquake Tuesday.

Premier Danny Williams made the announcement Thursday.

"On behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I express our sincerest condolences and compassion to the people of Haiti, especially to the families of the bereaved and those injured in the earthquake and its aftershocks," Williams said in arelease.

He said the prayers and thoughts of the residents of the province are with the people affected by the earthquake.

"I encourage individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador to contribute to the relief efforts to the best of their ability," Williams said. "Haiti is one of the most vulnerable countries in the Americas and requires any help provided during this horrific tragedy."

Williamstold CBC News that it is only right that the province help.

"There's an adage that to whom much is given, much is required or much is expected," he said. "And Newfoundland and Labrador, in recent years, has been doing well and we felt that ...the least we could do was to show our support."

Williams said hecalled Gov. Gen. Michelle Jean, who was born in Haiti,to express his "deepest empathy for the people of her native country and the many friends and family who remain there during this terrible time."

He said he alsohesought heradvice on where the money should go to be of the most benefit.

"Last night, whenI heard the possibility of up over a 100,000 people losing their lives, I was horrified. I expected the numbers to be much lower than that. So, it's horrendous and we need to get there as quickly as possible with relief," he said.

Williams said the money could end up with the Canadian Red Cross or another relief agencyon the groundin Haiti.