Georgetown, Del., Jan. 26, 2010: Sussex County is extending a helping hand to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

County Council, at its Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, meeting, approved a $5,000 grant for disaster relief efforts in the earthquake-stricken nation, where thousands have died, many remain missing, and others struggle to recover.

“This is such an overwhelming disaster that we all have to do what we can, give what we can, whether it’s a little or a lot,” County Council Vice President Michael H. Vincent said. “Even though times are very tight for all of us today, we must rise to the occasion and support those who need our help now more than ever.”

The earthquake hit the Caribbean island nation Jan. 12, registering 7.0 on the Richter scale. Government officials and humanitarian organizations believe as many as 200,000 died in the quake, which devastated the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Lending aid to communities and nations suffering major disasters is nothing new for Sussex County. The Council has given grants to previous recovery efforts, including, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Indonesian tsunami in 2004, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The County will direct the funds to appropriate relief organizations to provide victims with basic supplies, including water, food and medicine as well as tents, blankets, and other necessities.

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