Mark is strongly backing the Edinburgh Disasters Response Committee (EDRC) appeal for aid to Haiti.

The EDRC is working with Mercy Corps, Scotland's largest NGO working in the field, to raise funds to help the people of Haiti after it was struck by a devastating earthquake last Tuesday (12 January).

You can donate online to the EDRC's appeal at

www.mercycorps.org.uk/haiti or by ringing

0845 245 0686 (8am to 8pm)

Mark commented:

“I would like to express my sympathy to all of those who have lost loved family or friends in this trajedy.

"I am pleased to see that the UK Department of International Development has moved quickly to provide emergency assistance. A number of UK charities are working on the ground and I am very strongly supporting the appeal here in Edinburgh organised by the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee.

"Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and it is vital that the rest of the world reaches out to those suffering in the wake of disaster to provide the help they so urgently need."

The death toll from the earthquake could run into the hundreds of thousands. At present, the UK Government is cooperating with other countries in sending aid to the millions affected by the tragedy.

The Department of International Development has already sent an 80 strong search and rescue team to help in finding survivors buried by rubble. The UK Government is also contributing £20 million to the relief effort.

The money will be distributed across several organisations including the Haitian Red Cross, the World Health Organisation, the World Food Programme and the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This reflects the needs of survivors on the ground for emergency shelter, clean water, food and medical supplies.

For more information on the earthquake and the UK Government’s response click here

The overall Emergency Appeal in the UK is being run by the Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella organisation set up by the major UK charities to coordinate donations and their response to major crises. Its website is
www.dec.org.uk

Click here for a full list of aid organisations involved in the international relief effort with links to their websites