22/02/2010

Vital UK Aid Arrives In Haiti

Hundreds of tonnes of vital UK aid have arrived off the coast of Haiti on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Largs Bay.

The ship has dropped anchor near the capital Port au Prince and is about to offload its cargo of essential supplies at Verreux Port, the Foreign Office confirmed this morning.

The ship was requested by the UN and loaded with aid supplied by the UK Department for International Development and international charities and through money donated by the British public.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay will be able to transport over 1,500 tonnes of food and other commodities on each trip for the WFP.

Largs Bay was loaded with supplies from the UK including material for temporary shelters for those who have lost their homes, mechanical handling equipment to enhance port capabilities at Port-au-Prince to ensure aid can get into the country, 4x4 vehicles to transport key humanitarian staff and supplies and water purification tablets to disinfect 2.8 million litres of water.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said RFA Largs Bay is a major part of the UK’s aid response to the disaster in Haiti.

"It has carried the supplies that the UN tell us are most needed – shelter ahead of the rainy season, heavy lifting gear, 4x4 vehicles and water purification tablets," he said.

"Once it has been unloaded the ship will then be put to use delivering further relief goods around Haiti’s shores.

"The British people can be very proud that their donations have been translated to real help for Haiti. Although the initial, high profile disaster response phase is over, people still desperately need our assistance."

(PR/GK)

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