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Faith Foundation praises "powerful" multi-faith action in Haiti and urges the world to support relief efforts

Monday, Jan 18, 2010 in Office of Tony Blair, Faith Foundation
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation has praised the "powerful" multi-faith action in Haiti as religious divides are put aside to save lives. The global charity which promotes respect and understanding between the major religions and makes the case for faith as a force for good is calling on people of all faiths and none across the world to support the Haiti relief efforts.

The news comes as UN Special Envoy for Haiti Bill Clinton visited the devastation today, at the same time as Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a trebling of UK support for the country to $30 million.

Ian Linden, Director of the Faiths Act project at the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, who spent time in Haiti last year and saw the work of the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, said:

"At the forefront of the effort are the CAFOD and Islamic Relief. It is heartening to see religious divides ignored as a dynamic Muslim organisation like Islamic Relief puts every effort into supporting a population that predominately practices Christianity and traditional Haitian Vodou. This is multi-faith action at its most powerful, compassion as the shared value of all."

"Despite the impossible conditions, many Haitians, such as the CARITAS network throughout the country, have been responded from day one - a fact that doesn't always make the news bulletins. Members of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) are already helping on the ground and others are preparing to enter the country.

"A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hitting the capital of the poorest country in the western hemisphere is a tragedy that has affected millions. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation is supporting DEC's efforts to raise money to help people on the ground and urges everyone to join the effort to help Haiti. You can do your bit to support them in their life-saving work by contributing securely now"

You can read Ian Linden's blog post in full at the Tony Blair Faith Foundation website