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Jan 18, 2010
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Celebrities support Haiti relief efforts

By
AFP
Published
Jan 18, 2010

GENEVA, Jan 17, 2010 (AFP) - Celebrities have joined in an international outpouring of support for survivors of Haiti's devastating earthquake, with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, actress Sandra Bullock and singer Madonna all digging deep for the cause.


Gisele Bundchen

According to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Sunday 17 January, Bundchen has offered 1.5 million dollars while Bullock has given one million dollars to relief efforts.

The Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie foundation has pledged a million dollars, Madonna has donated 250,000 dollars and actress Alyssa Milano has given 50,000 dollars.

Cyclist Lance Armstrong's foundation has also committed 250,000 dollars.

UN data showed that at least 567.67 million dollars have been pledged by individuals, countries, companies and international organisations to date.

Corporations that have chipped in include US banks Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, which have each promised one million dollars, and Citigroup, which has pledged two million dollars.

Rather than sending cash, others are helping by sending supplies or experts.

Suriname has despatched military and police personnel to Haiti, as well as blankets and rice.

Bolivia has sent blood for transfusions and food to feed survivors, while Venezuela sent a plane with experts and supplies.

Countries further afield, like Bangladesh and the Philippines, have also flown in medical teams.

Aid agencies are meanwhile continuing to funnel supplies and experts into the country.

The international Red Cross said another batch of experts left Geneva on Sunday 17 January for Haiti, where they are expected to provide forensics, tracing, nursing communications and logistics support.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is due to arrive later Sunday 17 January in Port-au-Prince, has called the devastating quake in Haiti the "most serious humanitarian crisis" to face the world body in decades.

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