Published on January 22, 2010, 6:30 am
Features
In 2008, 20 Haitians residing in the UK came together and formed the charity, United Haitians in the UK (UHUK) to raise funds to rebuild schools destroyed during the hurricane season. Little did they know that two years later they would become the voice of their nation and ambassadors in the UK at such a critical time.

Like millions of Haitians around the world, the lives of UHUK members were thrown into turmoil on Tuesday January 12 when the story broke that their beloved island was struck by an earthquake measuring magnitude 7 on the Richter scale.

As the story unfolded and pictures of the devastation flashed across our television screens, people in the UK stirred into action to offer help and make donations and this small charity was thrust into the media limelight, since Haiti is without diplomatic representation in the UK.

Despite concerns for loved ones and personal tragedies, UHUK mobilized itself like a well oiled and tested machine and switched focus to launch a crisis appeal on their nation's behalf, as well as providing a focal point for other Haitians.

A press conference was held at Southwark Town Hall on Saturday January 16, organised by the Pan African Society Community Forum (PASCF) the Haiti Now, Haiti First Reparation Committee and Cllr Martin Councillor Smith.

Judth Craig, spokesperson for UHUK, explained that their relief campaign is for both short and long term projects to help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives. The organisation has been liaising with community organisations to arrange drop off points for donations, sourcing storage space for donated items and compiling a list on their website www.uhuk.org of the deceased as they become known.

Mario Goose, founder member of UHUK, shared his own anguish and the agony he experienced for 72 hours whilst awaiting news of his sister in Haiti. He also spoke of his disappointment with the media's portrayal of the Haitian people.

Goose said that Haitians are proud people and for them to be begging goes against the very fabric of their being - but stressed that he is not "ungrateful for the response of other nations to his people's plight" and asked the global community show Haitians some dignity in their hour of need.

Cecil Gutzmore has called on France and the US to pay reparations to Haiti for its role in the enslavement of Africans - it was Haitian slaves led by Tousisant L'Overture who led the largest slave revolt, overthrowing their French masters to create the new independent Haiti.

Addressing unease expressed by a fellow Haitian to Cecil Gutzmore's summary of Haiti's historical relationship with France, UK Spain and the USA; Goose said: "...as painful as the situation might be, there are realities that must by faced, maybe not now but sometime in the not too distant future".

The UN Secretary- General Ban Ki- moon, has described the situation in Haiti as the biggest catastrophe the UN have had to deal with.

UHUK are requesting support for their relief effort - 100 per cent of all donations go directly to the people of Haiti. Details of how to lend support are provided below:

Donations can be made via UHUK's website www.uhuk.org - click 'DONATE'

For direct donations into their charity bank, the account details are:

Account Name: UHUK
Bank Name: HSBC
Account Number: 12288990
Sort Code: 40- 25- 02

Drop off points for clothes, foods (dry and canned) and other resources

SOUTH LONDON:

MON- SAT 10am- 6pm
UNIT 6 Farrell court
Elephant Road
London SE17 1LB.

Monday- Friday (office hours)
Southwark Council
Town Hall
Peckham Road
London SE5 8UB

EAST LONDON:

@Voice Of Africa Radio
24 Swete Street
(Off Plaistow High Street)
Plaistow E13 OBS