Money is best way to aid Haiti, adviser says

The Red Crescent Authority says donating money was the best way for most to aid earthquake relief efforts.

ABU DHABI // As the nation's first plane load of relief items arrived in Port-au-Prince yesterday, the Red Crescent Authority said donating money was the best way for most to aid earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. "The first thing is money because Haiti is far away," said Dr Saleh al Taei, the Red Crescent Authority's (RCA) secretary general adviser. "But, we are also asking for new blankets, tents and clothes."

Medicine and medical equipment are also needed, he said, but stressed they must not be expired. Financial contributions can be made directly through the RCA's bank accounts with the Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dr al Taei said. Donations can be taken to one of several RCA offices in the UAE: Muroor Road, opposite the bus station in Abu Dhabi; in Al Twar, opposite Dubai Islamic Bank in Dubai; and in Al Nakheilat, opposite the Al Shaab Club in Sharjah.

Another RCA cargo plane with 100 tonnes of tents, food, clothing and medicine was due to arrive today in the Dominican Republic. The plane will be met by the RCA delegation, led by Humaid al Shamsi, the director of relief, who arrived at the island yesterday to co-ordinate the movement of relief items into Haiti. [e-mail]