Travel brands are beginning to release details of how they are joining the relief effort following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake in Haiti.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday evening local time, flattening schools, hospitals and apartment blocks, with one local resident estimating as much as 80% of the city has been destroyed.
Latest reports indicate between 45,000 and 50,000 people have been killed.
Just A Drop
WTM chairman Fiona Jeffery is urging travel companies to support the ‘Just Help Haiti’ appeal, which aims to deliver clean water to those hit by the Haiti earthquake.
Jeffery is founder and chairman of clean water charity Just a Drop, which launched the appeal in the aftermath of the disaster.
“Whether it is for business or pleasure the very nature of the travel and tourism industry is that it brings people together from across the world,” Jeffery said.
“Just a Drop’s Just Help Haiti appeal to the travel and tourism industry is a small part of a global response to this world disaster. But clean, fresh water is a life-giving commodity and the charity has a vital role to play.
“I urge everyone to lend their support because every little bit adds up to making a huge difference.”
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief to help the people affected by the devastating earthquake that hit the Caribbean island of Haiti.
The cruise line is also sending in water and food supplies to the island on ships visiting Labadee, its private resort on the north coast of Haiti.
Independence of the Seas was in port on Friday – the first Royal Caribbean ship to visit Labadee since the earthquake struck. It was carrying 60 cases of dry food such as rice, beans and dried milk, as well as water.
Navigator of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice are all due to visit in the next week and will be taking additional supplies. These will be distributed by Food for the Poor, a long-time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti.
Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and chief executive Richard Fain said the cruise line wants to do its part to contribute to the general response and also help its hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.
Writing on the cruise line’s website, Royal Caribbean Cruises associate vice-president private destinations John Weis defended the cruise line’s decision to continue calling at the island.
He said: “Continuing to call at Labadee helps more than 500 people – direct employees and straw market vendors who rely on our port calls for their livelihood. These people have been impacted by this event and have families to support. Money earned will assist displaced family members and friends and help Haiti recover from this horrible tragedy.”
Weis said 100% of net proceeds from Independence of the Seas’ Labadee excursions today will go to the Haitian relief effort. He promised more support but said details are still being worked out.
Passengers cruising on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises can make a donation to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund via their onboard account.
British Airways
British Airways (BA) has already offered aid agencies a relief aircraft to fly emergency services and equipment to Haiti.
A Boeing 747, with capacity for up to 50 tonnes of cargo, flew into the region on Saturday crewed by volunteer BA pilots and cabin crew.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “The situation in Haiti is desperate and we must do what we can to help.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
In the UK, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) will be holding a charity day this week to raise funds for the earthquake relief.
Head of marketing Claire Riches said a “dress-down” day will be held, allowing staff to wear casual clothes to work in return for a donation.
NCL has pledged to match all financial donations made, but Riches said goods would be equally welcome. “The International Red Cross Overseas is in need of bedding. We all have old bedding we don’t want.”
NCL’s Miami office is collecting supplies and working with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association to find ways to deliver them to Haiti.
Passengers and crew on its ships are being asked to donate money to the Red Cross via their onboard account or boxes set up at the reception desks. NCL has also pledged to match all these donations dollar for dollar.
AM Resorts
AM Resorts is inviting holidaymakers travelling to the Dominican Republic to bring medical supplies, which it promises to pass on to local relief centres.
It is also promoting the Yéle Haiti Earthquake Fund and the American Red Cross Relief Effort through email alerts.
- Are you supporting the relief effort? Email michelle.perrett@travelweekly.co.uk
Picture: KPZ/Zuma / Rex Features