Executive Director statement on situation in Haiti

Geneva, 26 January 2010, Our thoughts go out to the tens of thousands of victims of the Haiti earthquake. GAIN would like to express its support to our partner organizations in their efforts to respond to the needs of the Haitian people.

To assist the World Food Programme in its response to this devastating crisis, GAIN will provide a USD 400 000 in-kind donation through the GAIN premix facility. Premix is a commercially prepared blend of vitamins and minerals used to fortify foods. The GAIN premix facility enables its partners to have access to high quality premix at competitive costs. This support will help WFP in delivering adequately fortified food given to those in need, especially women and children, so they can have the vital vitamins and minerals needed for preventing undernutrition.

Pre-existing poverty and malnutrition are likely to be amplified in the weeks and months to come in Haiti. GAIN with this support joins its partners in the fight against malnutrition to improve the health and nutrition of those at risk.

Marc Van Ameringen

Executive Director GAIN- The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition