Icelandic rescue workers have returned from Haiti, where the Foreign Minister says their help was well received.
The plane carrying rescue workers arrived on Friday, at two in the morning, Icelandic time. The crew and Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson were exhausted from their time in Haiti, and dispensed with long speeches. He said that while the streets of Port-au-Prince these days have been likened to a war zone, Icelandic relief workers were warmly welcomed, and treated only with gratitude.
In addition to official help, Jón Ólafsson, owner of the bottled water company Icelandic Glacial, sent 233 tons of water (in 400,000 individual bottles) to those in need in Haiti. Speaking to reporters at that time, he said, “It’s a given that we’re duty bound to do all we can to help. Everyone who can do something [to help Haiti] should do something.”
(Photo: guardian.co.uk)