Disaster Response Team to Describe Haiti Relief Effort

Volunteer Doctors, Paramedics and Firemen Return to UK After two Weeks in Earthquake-Hit Zone

LONDON, February 2 - Press Conference: 2.15PM Thursday February 4 at Heathrow Terminal 4
Arrivals

Doctors and paramedics from the UK are to describe the devastation they
witnessed at first hand in earthquake-ravaged Haiti when they return to the
UK on 4 February.

They will take part in a press conference on Thursday February 4 at
2.15pm in Heathrow Terminal 4 Arrivals.

Six doctors and three double trained paramedics-firemen working with
international relief charity Humanity First are returning after spending two
weeks in the stricken country.

They are part of a second tranche of 21 volunteer professionals working
with Humanity First in Haiti. Earlier, a team of 14 volunteer professionals
flew out to the country with Humanity First.

The teams of volunteers have come from the UK, Canada, US and even US
settled Haitians among their numbers.

Mr Mansoor Shah, Acting Chairman of Humanity First said: "Professionals
from the medical and emergency services have been able to provide a lifeline
for the people of Haiti and we are very grateful to all those who have
volunteered their time, money and efforts.

"Humanity First is at the forefront of providing practical aid in Haiti.
Our Response Teams setup Base Camp is in our Port-au-Prince offices which had
survived the devastation. The teams worked round the clock carrying out a
large number of vital operations and treated hundreds of patients with
infected wounds, in addition to providing acute medical supportive treatment.
The first team of 14 volunteers reached via Santiago in the Dominican
Republic on the 16th January. En route to Port-au-Prince they were able to
work at a field hospital at Jimani on the border with Haiti. At the same
time, logistics hubs were established at Santiago, Santo Domingo and Punta
Cana for the entry of personnel and supplies via the Dominican Republic into
Haiti.

"This team was followed by a further team of 21 surgeons, paramedics and
logistical staff from the UK, Canada and the USA. This included 6 volunteer
surgeons and physicians from the NHS, a senior paramedic from the Wiltshire
Paramedical Service and 2 international search and rescue (ISAR) trained
paramedics from Leicester. This team also performed hundreds of operations
daily, and supplemented medical teams in local hospitals and refugee camps in
consultation with the United Nations.

"Humanity First's team in Port-au-Prince attend daily briefing sessions
with the UN and are also in talks with partners such as Care and Save the
Children with whom it has worked previously in Kashmir, Indonesia, USA and
Gaza.

"It is expected that by mid-February, the focus will shift to longer-term
prevention activities including shelter, distribution of aquaboxes (these
contain basic everyday necessities to support a family of four for a minimum
of four weeks), water treatment systems and provision"

HF History in Haiti

Haiti has a history of disasters with a number of Hurricanes including
Noel, Ike and Gustav striking the island in recent years. Humanity First
teams in Canada and France have responded since 2007 in towns including
Torbeck, Gressier, Martissant and Cabaret providing emergency food and water,
water treatment tablets and clothes. Humanity First has also been working on
longer-term projects such as support for schools and a new bridge in Torbeck
which opened in 2009. Humanity First is a registered charity in Haiti and has
its office in Port-au-Prince.

About Humanity First

Humanity First is an independent, international, charitable trust
established to promote and safeguard the preservation of human life and
dignity. It is a non-political, non-sectarian international relief and
development agency that works with the world's poorest and most vulnerable
people. Humanity First was established in 1995 and now has registered
operations in 29 countries with projects in 6 continents.

Humanity First, 22 Deer Park Road, South Wimbledon, London SW19 3TL

Email: info@humanityfirst.org.uk Tel: +44-(0)20-8417-0082

Web: www.humanityfirst.org

UK Registered Charity Number: 1050934

Contact: Dr Nadeem Afzal, +44-(0)7983-007-500, Email na.afzal@gmail.com

Contact: Dr Nadeem Afzal, +44-(0)7983-007-500, Email na.afzal at gmail.com