The Yukon government will donate $25,000 to aid the Canadian Red Cross in its relief efforts in Haiti, Premier Dennis Fentie said today.

"The devastation wrought by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake, which I understand is the largest in two centuries, has taken a terrible toll on the Haitian people and on the infrastructure in the region,” he said in a statement.

"Our hearts go out to them as they come to terms with the damage and havoc caused by this natural disaster.”

The Canadian Red Cross is mobilized and providing a key role in the disaster recovery.

At this time, reports indicate tens of thousands of people were killed and many thousands of others are badly injured and without shelter.

Details of the devastation are still emerging but there is little doubt that Haiti is ill-equipped to deal with such a disaster, the premier noted.

The earthquake crushed thousands of structures, from schools to shanty towns, to the National Palace and the UN peacekeeping headquarters.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

"Yukon is pleased to contribute financially to these international relief efforts,” Fentie added.

"On behalf of all Yukoners, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Canadian Red Cross and other Canadian relief agencies for their continued dedication.”

The Yukon government also made a donation to the Canadian Red Cross in 2009 for relief efforts in the Asia Pacific region after disasters hit the Philippines, Vietnam, the Samoan Islands and the west coast of Indonesia, for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Myanmar Cyclone in 2008.

Yukoners wishing to donate may contact the Canadian Red Cross Donation Inquiries office toll-free at 1-866-291-8979 or visit www.redcross.ca for more information on the relief efforts underway.