News

VILNIUS, Jan 14, BNS - Lithuania's non-governmental organizations on Thursday called upon the country's residents to donate support to those aggrieved by the Haiti quake, with 50,000 litas (EUR earmarked by the Foreign Ministry.

Earlier today, a call for support was issued by the Lithuanian Red Cross - donations can be transferred to special bank accounts, with talks underway with mobile phone operators to facilitate donations via the phone.

Public organization Save the Children has also invited the Lithuanian population to help Haitian children who suffered during the earthquake. The organization has launched a campaign to collect money for food, drinking water and medication. Donations can be transferred to the organization's bank account. Both organizations plan to continue the charity campaign until Feb. 17.

Meanwhile, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry announced its plans to allocate 50,000 litas for Haitian people under the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Program. Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas said Lithuania "cannot stay indifferent to troubles of other people." The ministry urged the nation to actively contribute to the charity to Haiti, supporting the NGO initiatives to assist residents of Haiti who have suffered by the powerful earthquake.

According to the press release, no Lithuanian citizens have declared their emigration to Haiti with the Lithuanian Register of Residents.

The ministry also has no information about the country's citizens present in the country during the quake. In case of receipt of information about Lithuanian citizens who were or might have been in Haiti earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with consular services of other EU member-states, will take immediate actions to provide the necessary assistance to the Lithuanian citizens, reads the press release.

Western cities of Port-au-Prince, Carrefour and Jacmel were most affectedby the quake, the International Federation of Red Cross Societies said in astatement. The said cities constitute a population of 2 million.

According to preliminary data, the casualty count in Tuesday's quake, registered 7 on the Richter scale, is at 100,000.

According to the statement, the Red Cross is currently tending to 5,000 aggrieved families, organizing temporary accommodation for those left homeless and providing medical and psychological help to victims of the calamity.