Appeals for aid

Ireland has already put €20m into the UN's Emergency Fund, but Minister for Foreign affairs Micheál Martin has pledged additional money.

The European Commission released €3m in emergency aid and expected to do more once an EU expert is able to report back with a clearer picture of needs.

Concern Worldwide, which has been working in Haiti since 1994, has launched an emergency appeal following the earthquake.

Donations will be accepted on 1850-410510 or through Concern.net.

People can donate to Oxfam by calling 1850 30 40 55 (NI 0800-0304055), visiting OxfamIreland.org, or at their local Oxfam Ireland shop.

GOAL has allocated €250,000 from its emergency fund as an immediate response and is accepting donations from the public. Call 01-2809779 or visit GOAL.ie.

UNICEF Ireland launched an emergency appeal this morning for the children of Haiti. Donations can be made securely at UNICEF.ie or by calling 01-8783000.

Trócaire has also appealed for funds to help those affected by the earthquake. To donate, visit Trócaire.org or call 1850-408408 (NI: 0800-9121200).

Médecins Sans Frontières says around 70 more international staff are expected to arrive in the coming days. MSF says it is sending out a 100-bed hospital, with an inflatable surgical unit.

The World Bank is to provide $100m in emergency aid to the devastated country.

US President Barack Obama said his 'thoughts and prayers' were with the people of Haiti. He has directed his administration to provide swift, coordinated aid effort to Haiti to save lives and help the injured.

Britain is flying a humanitarian assessment team to Haiti today, saying it is 'deeply concerned' by the earthquake, while France is also assessing the country's aid needs.

Meanwhile, Denis O'Brien's Digicel company is to donate $5m to support urgent relief efforts.

Taken from: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/hli...

Dr Pam Spurr explains why gossip is not always harmless, how to avoid being drawn into a group of gossipers, and what to do if you're a victim
It's human nature to wonder what's going on in other people's lives. We speculate and surmise about them, wonder about their personal life and work success or failure, and so on. We then discuss our thoughts about them, and the titbits of knowledge we might have about their lives, with other people. Gossip is in essence discussing someone else's business when they aren't present.

Harmless gossip
Gossip has many functions for the people doing it. There are both harmless and harmful types of gossip. One of the primary functions is social inclusion and bonding that's essentially harmless. This type of gossip is less about the person being gossiped about and more about the people gossiping. They use gossip to bond together into a mini-social group. This type of gossip is about mutual sharing of information and is a form of relating to others. By gossiping with them you show a certain level of trust and the development of a social connection.

The gossip tends to take the form of little bits of information being shared, for example: 'Did you know Sarah's dyed her hair red?' The information's usually something that might become common knowledge or is something that the person wouldn't object to becoming 'public'.

Harmful gossip
However gossip spreads faster than wildfire and can cross over into harmful territory even when not intended that way. And it can be of the intentionally malicious type. This form of gossip is meant to harm the person who's being gossiped about. The harm intended can be at a personal level or about their work and reputation.

Malicious gossip excludes the person being gossiped about from the group in a negative way. It becomes a form of bullying. The person becomes an outsider. Some people get a source of malicious satisfaction from this type of gossip if they have a manipulative-type personality. Others use unpleasant or nasty gossip to enhance their own social value and make them seem like the dominant member of a group - one that's 'in the know'.

The harm done by gossip
Apart from celebrities who want to be talked about, there's a lot of harm that can be done by gossip. Even when no harm's intended, the problem with gossip is what starts as 'harmless' can sometimes develop into the harmful type. Like 'Chinese whispers' the gossip can alter in form as it moves outward from the initial gossips. By the time it's moved to another group of people it might've morphed into something negative and hurtful.

Also it may simply be private information the person wants to keep secret. Let's go back to 'Sarah' with the newly-dyed red hair. Discussing her hair colour is one thing but saying, 'Did you know Sarah's boyfriend cheated on her?' is another. It discloses something that 'Sarah' probably wants to keep private.

Gossip is also harmful because untruths and half-truths are told as if true. It doesn't give the person a choice about whether or not they want to be discussed, it can spin out of control, and can create an atmosphere of cliques particularly in the office, and this facilitates bullying.

How to avoid gossip
1.Set your boundaries early when someone starts gossiping. Say something clear like, 'I don't really want to get involved in someone else's business' and suggest an alternative topic of conversation.
2.Use a clear and confident tone of voice so the 'gossip' understands you don't want to be drawn in. This is a perfect example where being assertive works well.
3.If in the middle of a conversation someone starts gossiping simply refuse to be drawn into it.
4.If you hear others around you gossiping you don't have to give credence to their gossip by getting involved.
5.If you hear gossip that's untrue, set the record straight. Tell t

Taken From:
http://www.victimassistanceireland.c...

Hello, you are very welcome to the site of the Federation for Victim Assistance.
Our mission is to offer emotional and practical support to all victims of crime.
The Federation is a totally voluntary body with a membership of fully trained volunteers who have a wealth of experience in caring for victims.



We are recognised and funded by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime. The Federation for Victim Assistance was established in April 2005 in response to the need of so many victims of crime.The organisation was officially launched in September 2005 by our patron, Mr Pat Cox, former President of the European Union.

It was our President, Mr. Derek Nally, who first saw the need for supporting the victim over twenty years ago when he introduced Victim Support into Ireland. Our volunteers are crucial to the work of caring for victims and they can help in many ways. We are recognised and funded by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime. The Federation for Victim Assistance was established in April 2005 in response to the need of so many victims of crime.The organisation was officially launched in September 2005 by our patron, Mr Pat Cox, former President of the European Union.It was our President, Mr. Derek Nally, who first saw the need for supporting the victim over twenty years ago when he introduced Victim Support into Ireland. Our volunteers are crucial to the work of caring for victims and they can help in many ways.


We have branches in the following areas:

Ballyshannon: 071 9842666
Carlow: 059 9130909
Enniscorthy: 053 9388357
Mayo: 094 9366694

Meath: 046 9073880

Rosommon / East Galway: 090 6634356 / 087 9466056

Tralee: 066 7129722

Wexford: 053 9137763


If there is no support group in your area and you feel you could assist in setting up such a group please contact Máiread Fernane, Chairperson at (087) 2941470.
Full training and assistance will be given to anyone interested in caring for victims.