Bodies of two NZ girls and father found in Haiti

The Sanson-Rejouis family. Mother Emily and her daughter Alyahna (C) survived the quake. Photo / Supplied

The bodies of Emmanuel Rejouis and his New Zealand-born daughters Kofie-Jade and Zenzie have been found in the rubble of a quake-hit hotel in Haiti.

Mr Rejouis was with Kofie-Jade, 5, Zenzie, 3, and Alyahna, 2, at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake destroyed the building.

The girls' mother, Nelson-born Emily Sanson-Rejouis, 37, was working at the United Nations office when the quake hit.

She rushed to look for her family after the ground stopped shaking and Alyahna was pulled alive from the wreckage yesterday morning (NZT).

Mrs Sanson-Rejouis' step-brother, Jamie Larnach, said his step-sister was now in the Dominican Republic with Alyahna getting medical help. Alyahna is believed to have a broken leg.

"We are extremely touched and thankful for everyone in New Zealand, France, the US and other countries for their kindness and support," Mr Larnach said.

Mr Larnach said people wanting to help the family to bring Emily and Alyahna home can deposit money in a BNZ bank account. The name of the account is: Haiti Earthquake Sanson Rejouis Family Fund. and the account number is 02 0704 0074227 00.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the deaths.

A spokesman said a diplomat was arriving in the Dominican Republic today to help Mrs Sanson-Rejouis. He said no decision has been made about the repatriation of the bodies of Emmanuel Rejouis and his two daughters.

Last night, Mrs Sanson-Rejouis called her sister Rachel Sanson to say she and Alyahna had been able to reach a hospital in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Mr Larnach said Kofie-Jade and Zenzie were "lovely, gorgeous little girls".

Mrs Sanson-Rejouis' father Roger, mother Jennie Wilson Sanson and Rachel were leaving New Zealand last night for Miami.

"Emmanuel has family members in Florida who are making an effort to get to the Dominican Republic to support Emily and Alyahna," Mr Larnach said.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the Government was trying to give the family consular assistance.

"We are looking at sending someone to the United States to be ready to go to Haiti when the conditions allow. However, Haiti's airport is closed and there is no indication when it will reopen.

"We are continuing to work with our consular partners [the US, Canada, Australia, France and Britain] and international organisations in Haiti to see what immediate assistance they can provide."

Two other New Zealanders thought to be in Haiti have been found elsewhere.

Mrs Sanson-Rejouis and her husband met overseas while both were working for the United Nations.

They had been living in Port-au-Prince for six months, and previously lived in Africa with their older two girls.

- With NZHERALD STAFF