Monday 18th January 2010 : Last week, FIFA Vice President Jack Warner issued a call to the worldwide football community to support relief efforts in Haiti following a devastating earthquake.

Now less than 72 hours after that call was issued, one of the world’s most powerful sporting organization, FIFA, has responded, pledging two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars( US 250,000.00) to relief efforts ;While FIFA Vice President Chung Moon-Jung has pledged five hundred thousand dollars US dollars ( US 500,000.00)of his personal funds to assist in ongoing disaster relief efforts in the Caribbean nation.

Warner, who has also vowed to throw one hundred thousand dollars of his personal funds to assist in relief efforts, has described the gesture as “ a true representation of FIFA’s principles.”

“The Football Community stands in solidarity with Haiti. As our brothers and sisters face their darkest hour , we must let them know that they are not alone . As the world still comes to terms with the calamity that has befallen this Caribbean nation, we in football understand our role to the people of Haiti. In a time of hopelessness and despair, in spite of the apparent destruction and devastation which surrounds Haiti at this time , we must do what we can to restore hope and faith , for without these qualities all will be lost.”

Warner went on to add “ I contacted both President Blatter and Vice President Moon-Jung on this matter last week , I explained the urgency and the gravity of the situation which has befallen our Caribbean brothers . I would like to thank both of them for their compassion and generosity.”

Confirmation of the pledges, came in the form of two emails to the CONCACAF President Jack Warner from FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Vice President Chung Moon Jung , this morning.

The CONCACAF President explained that a report was submitted to FIFA officials on Sunday night by CFU Vice President Captain Horace Burrell, following his visit to the island on Sunday.

“Despite my political commitments in Trinidad, I stand firm in my belief Haiti cannot be allowed to go through this alone . We are our brother’s keeper .It is the same blood which flows though the veins of every member of the Caribbean Community. I requested that Captain Burrell visit the island to ascertain the extent of damage and to make contact with our football family . In spite of the short notice, he took up the mantel and it is this report that has tipped a chain of events.”

It was only following Captain Burrell’s report that officials were able to confirm that 30 members of the Haitian Football Federation perished in the earthquake and dozens remain unaccounted for.

The detailed report depicted the grim realities which now face not only the island’s football federation but the people of Haiti.

Excerpt of report

“I was met at the airport by an injured President Dr Yves Jean Bart (President of Haitian Football Federation). His injuries and bandages remain stark reminders of his narrow escape from the crumbling building following the earthquake.

President Jean Bart, explained that he and other members of the executive committee were meeting at the time of the quake and he is the only survivor.

As we travelled down what now remains of the major highway, the buildings that line the roadways are but crumbled shells of their previous incarnations ,not even a hint of their previous grandeur can be seen. None is a truer reflection of this statement than the Federation’s headquarters.

Once a three story magnanimous structure, all that remains is a concrete slab. The stench of death is present everywhere on this island. As we looked at the ruins, I saw three decomposing bodies , visibly mangled in the rubble.

All that it would take is proper equipment to free the bodies, to allow their families the courtesy of a proper funeral. But many on this island have been robbed of that courtesy.

These are the bodies of our colleagues, and more lay beneath the debris

President Jean Bart has confirmed that 30 members of the Federation are dead. Twenty bodies remain mangled beneath the Federation’s headquarters.

Among the dead, Administrators, Referees, Coaches including the HFF’s most experienced coach ,who recently coached the U-17 team in the WC tournament in Korea, Medical Personnel, Players, Office Staff.

In addition, to the disaster at the Office, it is reported that a number of Players and other Officials have either died or remain unaccounted for at other places throughout the City.

May God help the people of Haiti

Captain Burrell described his visit as heartbreaking

“Words cannot describe what I have seen in Haiti . It is heartbreaking; there is emptiness in this land, which must be filled soon. The island has been engulfed by a sense of hopelessness and despair. We cannot ignore this problem. If my report to President Warner can I any way shed some light into what is happening here, if it can encourage even one person to act then I would have succeeded in my mission.”

Warner, who sent his VP to the devastated island, said he will continue to assist in coordinating relief efforts.

“ I am a son of the Caribbean soil. To turn my back on the people of Haiti at time would be inhuman. It would go against everything I stand for and believe. The people of Haiti remain in my prayers. They will overcome and rise again.”