Haiti/France - earthquake

French survivors arrive home

Article published on the 2010-01-15 Latest update 2010-01-15 11:29 TU

An emergency medical team take care of earthquake survivors after they arrive on a French flight at Pole Caraibes airport in Pointe-à-Pitre
(Photo: Reuters)

Fifty-four French survivors of Tuesday's earthquake landed at Paris's Orly airport on Friday morning. Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed them at the airport. A second plane with 91 more on board is on its way.

In a telephone conference on Thursday evening US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy began planning an international conference for rebuilding Haiti.

Brazil and Canada will also be involved. The conference could take place as early as March.

"To make sure the Haitians do not give up hope, we must show them that we will not abandon them and that we are already focusing on rebuilding their houses," said Kouchner.

In the multiracial area of Saint Denis, just outside Paris, a counselling centre has been set up for people waiting for news of relatives in Haiti.

A mass will be held in Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral for the victims of the earthquake and their families on Saturday.