An occasional writer's journal

In the UK, people wishing to support the Haiti Earthquake Appeal are asked to do so directly through the Disasters Emergency Committee, a consortium of 13 humanitarian aid agencies including Save The Children.

Donating to the DEC, which is also involved in relief efforts in Gaza and Congo, will ensure your submissions go to where they are most needed. So far a staggering £12m has been raised within 24 hours of the launch of a massive publicity campaign fronted by leading activists including British actor John Hurt.

Writers and bloggers can help by steering donations toward the DEC. Check for updates by following @decappeal on Twitter or friend the DEC on Facebook.

The rescue of aid worker Danielle Trépanier after almost a day under the rubble of a collapsed staff-house in Haiti is symbolic of the hope that remains of saving other people in the 72 hours following the catastrophic earthquake.

Trépanier, a Canadian logistician-administrator with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), had fallen through two floors of her building and landed in the basement, before being freed from a heap of debris by local workers risking their own safety.

MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, has treated more than 1,000 quake victims at temporary tented facilities. Its three medical centres were destroyed and time is rapidly running out for hundreds of other seriously injured people.

The need for wound treatment and major surgery is overwhelming, according to MSF, which is sending out a 100 bed inflatable hospital consisting of two operating theatres and seven hospitalisation tents as well as an extra 80 staff and further supplies. You can donate to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Haiti Appeal by following this link.

Also of concern in the coming days will be the control of infectious diseases and diarrhoea, a major challenge in a country that had poor infrastructure and healthcare before the quake struck. The problem is compounded by the number of corpses left to rot in the streets.

• To make a postal donation, write out your cheques to ‘DEC Haiti Earthquake’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.
• Donations can be made at any high street bank, or at a Post Office by quoting Freepay 1449.
• The DEC brings together Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision. The following video has been published by the Red Cross.