23286: (Chamberlain) Britain sends supplies to Haiti storm victims (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Britain dispatched two aircraft on Sunday
with aid and supplies for the people of Haiti which has been devastated by
Hurricane Jeanne.
     One plane took off early Sunday and a second will depart later with
equipment for the Caribbean country, said a spokesman for Britain's
Ministry for International Development which is funding the effort, worth
up to 450,000 pounds ($810,900). As a tropical storm, Jeanne caused
flooding that killed as many as 2,000 people in Haiti and 31 in the
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico a week ago. Since then the hurricane has
reached Florida's east cost.
     Hundreds of people in Haiti have been left homeless.
     The aircraft are carrying tents which will house 3,500 people, two
sports utility vehicles, radio units and power generators.
     The spokesman said Britain may send further aid to Haiti or to other
countries, such as Barbados, also hit by the storm.
     "The UK will continue to work with the United Nations and other
agencies to ensure immediate needs of the people affected are met," said
Hilary Benn, Britain's cabinet minister responsible for international
development, in a statement.