A shallow 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated communities in the southwest of Haiti on August 14 local time.  The death toll sits at 2,207 people with 12,268 injured in the quake and the following aftershocks.  The heavy rains and winds of Tropical Storm Grace caused arrived a few days later.   Approximately 52,923 homes were destroyed and 77,006 badly damaged.  The first relief supplies have arrived in cities like Les Cayes.

Please can you help.

Local members of ACT Alliance Haiti (Action by Churches Together) immediately erected tents outside one damaged hospital and assessment teams.  The first round of emergency assistance has been distributed.  CWS is waiting for the results of the needs assessment from our local partner, Karl Lévêque Cultural Institute (ICKL), currently visiting more rural communities.

People need shelter, water, and emergency supplies.

“We are looking at a real difficult situation,” says Prospery Raymond for ACT Alliance Haiti.  Gangs control the road south from the capital city Port-au-Prince.  The political situation is unstable and the level of existing poverty is high.

Our Response

Our local partner ICKL is requesting funds to provide:

• Food Rations: Peas, corn, rice, millet and oil.
• Hygiene Kits: including aqua tabs and sanitary napkins.

ACT Alliance Haiti reports the immediate needs are for:

• Tents and tarpaulins, temporary shelters, torches, emergency power generators;
• hygiene kits, clothes, water, food and first aid kits
• Health workers, rescuers – at least 10 people per municipality affected
• Fuel, vehicles, mobile phones, and SIM cards.

CWS anticipates supporting recovery efforts, likely to involve assistance with shelter and livelihoods.

New Zealanders responded generously to the 2010 earthquake that hit capital city Port-au-Prince. Families were able to repair and rebuild homes as well as establish new and improved livelihoods.

Images: ACT Alliance