LONDON, February 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Press Conference: 2.15PM Thursday February 4 at Heathrow Terminal 4 Arrivals

Doctors and paramedics from the UK are to describe the devastation they witnessed at first hand in earthquake-ravaged Haiti when they return to the UK on 4 February.

They will take part in a press conference on Thursday February 4 at 2.15pm in Heathrow Terminal 4 Arrivals.

Six doctors and three double trained paramedics-firemen working with international relief charity Humanity First are returning after spending two weeks in the stricken country.

They are part of a second tranche of 21 volunteer professionals working with Humanity First in Haiti. Earlier, a team of 14 volunteer professionals flew out to the country with Humanity First.

The teams of volunteers have come from the UK, Canada, US and even US settled Haitians among their numbers.

Mr Mansoor Shah, Acting Chairman of Humanity First said: "Professionals from the medical and emergency services have been able to provide a lifeline for the people of Haiti and we are very grateful to all those who have volunteered their time, money and efforts.

"Humanity First is at the forefront of providing practical aid in Haiti. Our Response Teams setup Base Camp is in our Port-au-Prince offices which had survived the devastation. The teams worked round the clock carrying out a large number of vital operations and treated hundreds of patients with infected wounds, in addition to providing acute medical supportive treatment. The first team of 14 volunteers reached via Santiago in the Dominican Republic on the 16th January. En route to Port-au-Prince they were able to work at a field hospital at Jimani on the border with Haiti. At the same time, logistics hubs were established at Santiago, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana for the entry of personnel and supplies via the Dominican Republic into Haiti.

"This team was followed by a further team of 21 surgeons, paramedics and logistical staff from the UK, Canada and the USA. This included 6 volunteer surgeons and physicians from the NHS, a senior paramedic from the Wiltshire Paramedical Service and 2 international search and rescue (ISAR) trained paramedics from Leicester. This team also performed hundreds of operations daily, and supplemented medical teams in local hospitals and refugee camps in consultation with the United Nations.

"Humanity First's team in Port-au-Prince attend daily briefing sessions with the UN and are also in talks with partners such as Care and Save the Children with whom it has worked previously in Kashmir, Indonesia, USA and Gaza.

"It is expected that by mid-February, the focus will shift to longer-term prevention activities including shelter, distribution of aquaboxes (these contain basic everyday necessities to support a family of four for a minimum of four weeks), water treatment systems and provision"

HF History in Haiti

Haiti has a history of disasters with a number of Hurricanes including Noel, Ike and Gustav striking the island in recent years. Humanity First teams in Canada and France have responded since 2007 in towns including Torbeck, Gressier, Martissant and Cabaret providing emergency food and water, water treatment tablets and clothes. Humanity First has also been working on longer-term projects such as support for schools and a new bridge in Torbeck which opened in 2009. Humanity First is a registered charity in Haiti and has its office in Port-au-Prince.

About Humanity First

Humanity First is an independent, international, charitable trust established to promote and safeguard the preservation of human life and dignity. It is a non-political, non-sectarian international relief and development agency that works with the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Humanity First was established in 1995 and now has registered operations in 29 countries with projects in 6 continents.

Humanity First, 22 Deer Park Road, South Wimbledon, London SW19 3TL

Email: info@humanityfirst.org.uk Tel: +44-(0)20-8417-0082

Web: http://www.humanityfirst.org

UK Registered Charity Number: 1050934

Contact: Dr Nadeem Afzal, +44-(0)7983-007-500, Email na.afzal@gmail.com