On the 12th January 2010 at 16:53 local time, an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti measuring 7.0 The earthquake caused major damage to buildings including residential homes.

It is estimated that over 170,000 people were killed and many more thousands dead in the rubble of buildings. The dead were buried in mass graves; fearing some relatives will never know where their loved ones are buried. There are also reports of over 250,000 people sustaining injuries, however, as the hospitals had collapsed and medical supplies were not readily available, it is expected that more people will die. Many countries were quick to respond to appeals for aid. All communications to the area had been damaged which hampered rescue attempts. Medical supplies, food and drink were urgently needed but delays in aid distribution led to violence amongst aid workers and survivors. Many celebrities were quick to donate large sums of money. A "Hope For Haiti Now" concert was held, again with many pledges of cash to bring hope to the people of Haiti.

After 12 days, people were still being pulled alive from the wreckage. Very weak and de-hydrated, they were given urgent medical treatment.

On the 22nd January 2010, the United Nations agreed that the emergency phase of the rescue operation should end and the Haitian government called off the search for survivors.

Much needs to be done to restore the infrastructure of Haiti. You can donate via the International Red Cross. Every penny counts.