Haitian Montrealers plead for Red Cross donations to help Hurricane Matthew's victims

Organizations representing Montreal's Haitian community issued a joint appeal with Quebec's Red Cross Friday for cash donations to assist emergency relief efforts now underway in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Thestorm killed at least 842 people, and thatnumberis climbing steadily as authorities confirm fatalities.

Another 61,500 were left homeless.

• Hurricane Matthew leaves at least 842 dead in Haiti: officials

At a news conference Friday, MyrianMarotte,communications director for Quebec's Red Cross,said more than 350,000 Haitians are in immediate need of help.

Marotte said the organization's short-term priority is to raise funds to help Haiti's Red Cross reach 50,000 people in areas hardest hit by the storm.

"They are considered the most vulnerable, in areas that are difficult to access, and we need to get to them as soon as possible," she said.

Most of the fatalities were in towns and fishing villages around the western end of Tiburon peninsula in the country's southwest, one of Haiti's most picturesque regions.

Marotte said 3,000 Red Cross workers and volunteers are on the ground in Haiti.

Donating money to the Red Cross is the most effective way to help, shesaida sentiment that was echoed by the gathered representatives of Montreal's Haitian community.

"Funds help us obtain what we really need," Marotte said, using the example of water purification equipment and emergency shelters.

"We have the structures in place to respond quickly and effectively, and funds help us provide that aid without delay," she said.

The need is urgent because ofconcerns abouta possible cholera outbreak in areas where water sources have been contaminated.

Donations to the Red Cross can be made by calling 1-800-418-1111 or online atwww.redcross.ca

VilleraySaint-MichelParc Extension city councillorFrantzBenjamin said organizations representing Montreal's Haitian community met last night and decided the Red Cross should be the focus of donations.

"It has the expertise and experience in such situations," he said.

• Montrealers struggle to reach loved ones in Haiti

He said Haitian Montrealers are hopefulthat the Red Cross will work closely with organizations that know the affected areas andare tuned into local needs in specific towns.

Quebec pledges $500K; Montreal $60K

The Quebecgovernment upped itspledgein emergency aid Friday from $100,000 to $500,000 to organizations working in Haiti.

At a news conferenceannouncing the boost in contributions,Quebec'sMinister of International Relations and theFrancophonie,Christine St-Pierre, spoke ofQuebec's close relations withHaiti and the important place of Haitiansin Quebec society.

"We are with you, and we want to help,"she said.

Earlier Friday, St-Pierre said the money would assist relief efforts byQuebec agencies already working in Haiti

"In response to this emergency, the government of Quebec wants to support the actions of these organizations on the ground so that the situation will improve as soon as possible," she said.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderrealso spoke at the news conference, reiteratingMontreal's pledge on Thursday to contribute$60,000 in aid.

"If there are additional needs, we'll be there," he said.

Canada to send DART

The federal government, meanwhile, hasset aside $3 million to assist Haiti andreleased an initial$300,000 to the Red Cross, according toMarie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.

The Canadian Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) has also been deployed, along with three Global Affairs experts and three experts from the Canadian Forces to advise on next steps for Haiti relief.