SHONA HAS RELEASED A STATEMENT about the devastating earthquake in Haiti:

"I'm sure that I speak for most people when I say how shocked I've been at the terrible scenes unfolding in Haiti following the earthquake - so many have died and those who survived the initial horror now face untold devastation.

The despair wrought upon the Haitian people is almost beyond comprehension. Before the earthquake struck, Haiti was already one of the poorest nations in the world - the government barely functioned, infrastructure was non-existent and finding food and water was a daily struggle.

But the scale and urgency of the response to this terrible tragedy from around the world restores our faith in humanity.

The relief of such human misery is, in my opinion, beyond domestic politics. I'm proud that our country has already deployed highly skilled search and rescue teams from all across the UK - including a team from our area. The Department for International Development has contributed over £20 million to assist with the relief efforts - including a significant donation to the International Federation of the Red Cross.

The British people have, as ever, shown their generosity - just as we did following the tsunami. But I hope you will agree that this unprecedented degree of human suffering demands an almost unparalleled level of generosity.

Leading British charities and organisations come together at times like these to co-ordinate the relief effort. A number of them, such as Save the Children, Oxfam and World Vision, already have staff and resources in Haiti. You may have already contributed to their appeal for donations, but I'm asking everyone to do just a little bit more support this life-saving work.

Think about it. If each of us reading this web-page contributed just £1 to the Disasters Emergency Committee, right now, then together we will be able to make a real difference to the lives of people who desperately need it.

Please help now, visit the Disasters Emergency Committee or call them on 0370 60 60 900."

19 January 2010