My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti as the devastation and destruction wrought by last weeks earthquake becomes clear.  The death toll continues to rise and the difficulties facing the global relief effort are immense.

If you would like to make a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee fund - which coordinates the response of UK charities to disasters like this -please visit the DEC site here. Remember, if you pay tax in the UK, make sure you select the Gift Aid option to enable the DEC to claim 28% extra on your donation.  This costs you nothing and will make all the difference to the funds raised.

The Government was amongst the first to pledge funds, personnel and equipment to the relief effort, and at the time of writing, the Department for International Development has already promised £20m worth of aid to the relief effort. 

Clearly, given the terrible damage and massive loss of life, Haiti will continue to require long-term support in rebuilding its country, which was already the poorest in the western hemisphere before the earthquake struck.  I will continue to support additional aid for Haiti wherever possible.