Dundee SNP

Dundee’s SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison, will join many of their parliamentary colleagues in a colourful cross-party show of support and solidarity with the people of Haiti today (Thursday) as part of RedDay4Haiti.

Both MSPs have supported the Disaster Fund (Dundee) set up by Lord Provost Letford and Joe FitzPatrick said: “RedDay4Haiti will help to raise awareness of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, and the continuing need for donations to the Disaster Fund.

“I urge all those who can donate, to do so, and raise funds for the relief work that is still very much needed.

Shona Robison added: “The official RedDay4Haiti is in fact on Friday but as we will all be in our own constituencies on that day, MSPs will be wearing red in the chamber on Thursday and I know many
Parliamentary staff will be doing the same throughout the building.

“I understand that the RedDay4Haiti theme has already been taken up by schools across the country.

“This is an extremely good cause and I hope that many people will join in and wear something red on Friday, whether to school or work and raise awareness of the fundraising for the relief work in Haiti.”

Dundee’s SNP politicians have urged the public to give generously to the Haiti Emergency appeals.

Shona Robison MSP said: “I’m pleased that Dundee has its own appeal and will be making my own donation to it. The disaster is of such magnitude that it is good that people in Scotland and the Scottish Government were quick off the mark in pledging money – more than £250,000 was pledged last week by Fiona Hyslop, the External Affairs Minister, to the NGO’s co-ordinating the aid effort from Scotland. “More importantly, the Scottish Government has also offered immediate help with the temporary secondment of its staff to allow charities and the disaster emergency committee staff to focus on the operation of getting the aid from Scotland to Haiti. This will be of immediate value as they attempt to respond to the huge logistical task of co-ordinating the public appeal and organising transport. Joe FitzPatrick MSP said: “Scots have responded with great generosity to the disaster appeal. More than £1m was raised from the Scottish public in the first three days, approximately one sixth of the UK total raised. I’ll be donating to the Disaster Relief Fund (Dundee) and urge everyone to give what they can afford – to the reception at City Chambers, 18 City Square. “The first wave of the aid effort will be for basic humanitarian aid – water, food and shelter but it is important that people continue to donate over the coming weeks. “There will be a requirement for more substantial aid once basic emergency supplies are delivered to all who need them. It’s our job, as politicians, to raise awareness of the Haiti Appeal and to urge people to donate by calling 0370 60 60 900 or by visiting the Disaster Emergency Committee website www.dec.org.uk “ Stewart Hosie MP said: “Although the situation is volatile with the transport network in Haiti in chaos and there have been reports of looting, these kinds of stories should not detract from the immensity of the human suffering which we have a duty to help alleviate. “There are many ways that the public can help by contacting the DEC the main appeal body or Save The Children, Oxfam Scotland, SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) or the Mercy Corps, all of whom are involved in getting aid from Scotland to Haiti.” Councillor Jim Barrie said: “Our heart must go out to the thousands of ordinary folk who managed to survive the disaster but lost family members. “The sheer scale of the earthquake and the destruction it caused has taken us by surprise but we can play a part in helping to bring the suffering to an end more quickly. “There are many ways to get involved in helping to raise funds, through any networks you are involved in, social clubs, trade unions and church groups – and to make a personal donation of whatever you can afford to the Disaster Relief Fund (Dundee) at 18 City Square Dundee.”