NZ powerless to help Haiti, says McCully

Murray McCully on Haiti

Emily Sanson-Rejouis' brother talks about family in Haiti

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New Zealand is in a completely powerless position in earthquake shattered Haiti and is unable to help its own citizens in trouble, Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

His comments came as he announced a $1 million donation to Haiti "as a starter".

Mr McCully said the thoughts of the nation were with those who lost family, including the Rejouis family, who have lost a father and have two children missing.

Two other New Zealanders thought to have been in Haiti had now been accounted for elsewhere.

Earlier today the family appealed on National Radio for help to rescue the children buried in a hotel.

Mr McCully agreed it was troubling to hear their appeals.

"You feel a sense of powerlessness when there is some one in extreme distress," he said.

"Not only do we have no capacity on the ground there ourselves, others who do have the capacity have had it flattened."

Mr McCully said he had spoken this morning with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who has cancelled her trip to New Zealand to help deal with the Haiti situation.

She told him every institution in Haiti was just "about rendered unable to function."

"It's a question of starting with nothing," Mr McCully said.

He said a New Zealand diplomat was heading to Miami to be ready to get to Haiti if the airport re-opens.

Earlier, Mr McCully said the international community was rapidly mobilising to assist the people of Haiti.

"Saving lives and assisting survivors are obviously the immediate priorities. New Zealand's contribution will therefore be channelled through international relief agencies, such as the International Red Cross and various United Nations agencies, who are already in Haiti and have the ability to respond effectively to a such a disaster."

Mr McCully said he had told Secretary Clinton that he had offered New Zealand's specialist skills in a number of emergency relief and recovery areas.

"We would be happy to supplement US efforts in any way required," Mr McCully said.

Mrs Clinton had said she "would come back to me with any requests," Mr McCully said.

"We are continuing to work with our consular partners (US, Canada, Australia, France, UK) and international organisations (UN, Red Cross) on the ground in Haiti to see what immediate assistance they can provide," Mr McCully said.

International efforts for relief in Haiti have quickly swung in to motion, with users of micro-blogging website Twitter leading efforts.

Haitian-born musician and record producer Wyclef Jean has asked people to text the word "Yele" to the number 501501, which will automatically charge the user's account $5 and donate the funds to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

"WARRIORS HAITI NEEDS U NOW!" Jean tweeted at one point. "PLEASE LEND YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT TO THE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT TEXT 'YELE' TO 501 501 OR VISIT YELE.ORG."

* New Zealanders with concerns about the welfare of family in Haiti should telephone the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 439-8000.

- © Fairfax NZ News