PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN HAITI

That this House notes with extreme concern the devastating effect which the earthquake in Haiti has had on the island's population; further notes that the work carried out by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) shows that too often natural disasters result in increasing women's vulnerability to violence, abuse and sexual exploitation and believes it is essential that action is taken to try to help stop this happening in Haiti; fully supports UNIFEM's calls for around $7 million to provide urgently needed services for the protection of women and their families; welcomes the work done by the out-going Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on this issue; and calls on the Government to offer every support possible in including financial backing to UNIFEM on this campaign.