Please donate to UNICEF's Haiti Appeal

As a UNICEF supporter, Michael Palin is appealing for people to support UNICEF's Haiti Children's Emergency Appeal.

A devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, causing an unfolding humanitarian crisis. Early news reports indicate that schools have collapsed, homes destroyed, and hospitals overwhelmed by the large numbers of injured coming in for medical assistance.

UNICEF is deploying necessary supplies to Jacmel and Port-au-Prince as quickly as possible to assist with recovery efforts including clean water and sanitation, therapeutic foods, medical supplies and temporary shelter. The organisation will be focusing on children who have become separated from their families to protect them from harm or exploitation.

Expert estimates suggest that 46 per cent of Haiti's nearly 10 million people are under 18 years of age. The special needs of children for food, shelter and protection must be factored in at the very outset of relief efforts and UNICEF will do everything in its power to make sure these needs are met.

Please show your support and donate now to help children affected by the Haiti earthquake. You can donate online at www.unicef.org.uk/haiti