At the launch of Just Help Haiti, international water-aid charity, Just a Drop appealed to the travel and tourism industry to step up and pledge support to help rebuild the country’s water and sanitation infrastructure. ITTFA, International Tourism Trade Fairs Association, was only too happy to support the initiative and immediately contacted its members and media partners with details of how they could help such a worthy cause.
“ITTFA and its members are keen to support this extremely worthwhile cause and are spreading the message via our websites and social networks. Time is of the essence and with so many of us involved in the travel industry across the globe, I feel sure that if everyone makes a small gesture it will add up to a very valuable contribution in helping Haiti get back on its feet.” Wendy Walker Director of Secretariat ITTFA.
ITTFA member TTG Italia responded quickly by putting the logo, news and link on their websites and in the TTG Italia online newsletter as well as on their social network http://www.traveltradeitalia/">http://www.traveltradeitalia/ . “We think that in these tragic events speed in action is everything and a little help from everyone can really make a difference for the Haitian people” comments Antonio Dell’Aquilano, Exhibition and Event Manger. Other members including TUR, Philoxenia have also set up links on their show websites.
Just a Drop is ready to fly out its engineers once the initial relief period is over to identify vital projects. And to then work with construction teams to help rebuild the water and sanitation infrastructure and encourage displaced communities back to their homes and villages.
The Charity is also well aware that coverage on Haiti will reduce as the weeks pass by and that it is imperative that the travel media recognises the importance that the JUST HELP HAITI Appeal is kept alive in the months ahead so that fundraising is ongoing. Through the support being given by travel trade press such as TravelTalk Media, based in California, this vital message is being relayed on.
“As a travel trade news specialist providing radio and TV broadcasts in markets across the United States, Pacific Asia, and Africa, as well as distributing and being fully accessible worldwide over the Internet we are well placed to reach out to the travel industry with such an important message” said Sandy Dhuyvetter, Executive Producer and host. “We are delighted to carry news of the appeal and to help Just a Drop raise money for such a valuable project.”
A £1 donation can deliver safe water to a person for nearly 10 years so visit http://www.justadrop.org/">http://www.justadrop.org/ to make your donation today. Alternatively send a cheque made payable to Just a Drop, to the attention of Ana Sustelo – Just a Drop Co-Ordinator Gateway House, 28 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1DN. Alternatively to make a BACS transfer, please contact Nikki Davis on nikki.davis@reedexpo.co.uk.
PRESS ENQUIRIES
Website: http://www.justadrop.org/">http://www.justadrop.org/
Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, Just a Drop:
Phone: 0208 910 7043 Email: fiona.jeffery@reedexpo.co.uk
FUNDRAISING CONTACTS
Eddie Ottmann, JUST HELP HAITI Appeal’s Fundraising & Corporate Partnership representative:
Mobile: 0794 6666 840 Email: eddie@ekomarketing.co.uk
Nikki Davis, Just a Drop:
Phone: 0208 910 7981 Email: nikki.davis@reedexpo.co.uk
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Just a Drop is a water-aid charity which over the last 11 years has helped over 1 million children and their families in 29 countries by building wells, laying pipes, installing boreholes and hand pumps, and carrying out sanitation and health education programmes.
JUST HELP HAITI Appeal was launched on Friday 15 January 2010. Its purpose is to help rebuild the country’s water and sanitation infrastructure in order that displaced communities may return to their towns and villages. In the same manner as following the 2004 Tsunami and Hurricane Mitch in Grenada in 1998, Just a Drop engineers will be flown in after the emergency relief operation is over to meet with agencies and local people to identify suitable projects. Then work with construction teams will begin to deliver clean, safe and sustainable water supplies so that communities can in turn rebuild their own lives through employment, agriculture and education