PAS urges M'sians to pray, send aid to Haiti

Harakahdaily
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20: Parti Islam Se-Malaysia has expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti, where a magnitude 7 earthquake has devastated the capital city and taken thousands of lives. Those who survived are now facing the threat of diseases and need help urgently.
“PAS extends its deepest condolences to the people of Haiti and urges all Malaysians to help as much possible, whether in the form of monetary aid or prayers for their safety and ability to overcome this catastrophe. We pray that Haitians will continue to remain steadfast and strong in this terrible time,” Dr Syed Azman, head of PAS’s international bureau told Harakahdaily.


The impact of last week’s earthquake has been so destructive that no one has yet to begin estimating the number of injuries. Much of Port-au-Prince was destroyed and officials reckon the death toll was likely to be between 100,000 and 200,000.

Threat of disease

There are now early signs of a slight return to normality, with street vendors emerging to offer fruit and vegetables. But rescue teams from around the world have not stopped searching for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Six days after the disaster struck, more successful rescues are being reported, although tens of thousands are still believed to be buried.

Sporadic violence and looting have also erupted as survivors, desperate and frustrated, turned their surroundings upside down in search of food and water to stay alive. Thousands are leaving Port-au-Prince, having lost patience with the massive but ponderous aid effort. Most of those fleeing said they were heading to small farms run by their relatives.

The spread of disease has now become a major concern. Medical experts have appealed for international assistance and relief groups are still struggling to speed up the delivery of supplies to the hungry and thirsty victims of the earthquake.

According to the medical experts, many survivors were suffering from multiple fractures and internal injuries. Mobile hospitals set up in the past week have been overwhelmed by the number of casualties, and medical teams have warned of the immediate threats of tetanus, gangrene as well as the spread of measles, meningitis and other infections.