The United Kingdom will be increasing its budget for humanitarian response to Haiti to more than USD30 million from the initial USD10 million it provided hours after the earthquake hit the Caribbean country. International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the amount was based on reports from on-ground assessment teams in the country. The new funding will be directed to further relief and recovery operations, including providing food, water and basic health services.
Australia is also providing an additional 5 million Australian dollars (USD4.5 million) to support ongoing relief and recovery work in Haiti. This is on top of the initial pledge of 10 million Australian dollars it has previously pledged. The World Food Program will receive 3 million Australian dollars from the fresh funds, while Australian nonprofits and the United Nations Office of the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs will receive 1 million Australian dollars each.
