Wellington, Jan 19 NZPA - New Zealanders are being asked to help Haitian earthquake victims to get some form of shelter.

The plea comes from Habitat For Humanity New Zealand, whose chief executive says a key task at this point in the disaster, which may claim up to 200,000 lives, is to ensure all Haitians have shelter in some form. "This requirement is as urgent as food, water, health services and the framework of law and order needed to ensure that aid gets through," said Pete North.

"At present, many people in the worst affected areas near Port-au-Prince have no protection from the fierce tropical sun. This will be adding hugely to their distress and badly aggravating health and other issues.

"We need the support of generous New Zealanders in providing Haitians with adequate cover," Mr North said.

He said the current emergency had also underlined the longer-term need to improve Haiti's housing stock, most of which was poor and not built to withstand earthquakes.

"Above and beyond our response to the current crisis, we plan to intensify our efforts, so as to provide as many Haitian families as possible with adequate protection against future natural disasters," Mr North said.

"We would greatly welcome the support of New Zealanders with this long-term commitment."

Mr North says that Habitat's emergency efforts in Haiti were likely to follow a three stage format, starting with a clean-up to make room for home repair and construction, with local people mobilised and assisted in removing debris and salvaging materials for recycling into new structures.

A second stage would involve the provision of shelter kits designed to help families and neighbourhoods make immediate repairs.

"Thirdly, we plan to repair and rebuild housing, using small transitional shelters that can be built quickly and expanded over time," Mr North said.

"These shelters will meet internationally recognised standards for adequate living space and the provision of water and sanitation. They will also be designed with hurricane and earthquake-resistant features."

He said New Zealanders had responded with great generosity to Habitat's need for funds to help rebuilding efforts on tsunami-ravaged Samoa.

"Haiti is further away from New Zealand and there may not be the same ties of kinship and culture. But Haitians are just as much part of our human family and need our support in their time of trial," Mr North said.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-denominational Christian not-for-profit organisation. Donors can visit its www.habitat.org.nz website or telephone its freephone number 0800 442 248.

Today aid organisation World Vision announced its New Zealand appeal had so far topped $325,000.

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