Coldplay and Emily Eavis Urge Earthquake Donations

Coldplay singer Chris Martin and Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis have put their weight behind Oxfam's appeal for victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday (Jan. 12). Both are urging people to donate to the appeal.

The devastating earthquake, which registered at 7.0 on the Richter scale, resonates particularly with these two influential figures, who both visited Haiti in 2002 on behalf of the charity Oxfam.

"It's a country of extreme poverty and brutal living conditions," Martin was quoted in the NME. "Most people in [Haiti capital city] Port-Au-Prince live in tin shacks. The earthquake that has struck Haiti will have turned the city into an unimaginable hell. The people of Haiti will be desperate for help and assistance."

Eavis echoed Martin's sentiments, saying, "It's the poorest place I've ever been by a long way. It seems doubly unfair that it should be hit by such a devastating earthquake, especially after the hurricanes of the last two years. They do not have the resources needed to cope with a disaster of this scale, that is what makes this so much worse."

Donations can be made at Oxfam.org, by phoning 0300 200 1999 or in any Oxfam shop.