Revisiting Haiti

National Headquarters | April 26, 2017

When Hurricane Matthew tore through Haiti in October of 2016, its effects were keenly felt by residents. Many lost their homes, their source of income, cherished memories, and more among the ruins. It was soon after that our relief volunteers arrived, setting out for assessment, providing hot meals, and initiating a Cash-For-Relief program. As part of our long-term relief efforts, volunteers have reunited with the people of Haiti for further relief.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

My mother will be happy. I sell peanuts in the street to make money. Now that I have this rice, I will take a break, and play a little bit.

Naika Lamar, Care recipient

Our relief volunteers in Haiti held a disaster aid distribution for those who are struggling in Lévy, a community in Camp-Perrin in Les Cayes. 500 residents received bags of rice at this distribution. These individuals continue to persevere after the combined strain of Hurricane Matthew and the recent extreme weather conditions that provoked serious flooding. Volunteers from near and far are grateful to join hands in providing aid to those in need, and will continue to travel this path to recovery together.

It surprised me to see the people are so nice and respectful while they’re distributing. It was such a pleasure. May God bless them everywhere they go.

Loia Zidor, beneficiary

Residents in Haiti are now facing a new heartache after they continue to navigate the obstacles in their path left by the destruction of Hurricane Matthew. From April 20th to the 23rd, torrential rains struck multiple communities included within the Grand Anse region, collapsing the Port Salut bridge, flooding homes, and causing further damages throughout Les Cayes, Torbeck, and Port Salut. Makeshift houses folded, residents suffered losses in agriculture and livestock, and much more. Our volunteers are on scene, conducting their assessment of the situation today; we hope to continue providing aid to those in need!

Today concluded another successful disaster aid distribution in Jérémie, Haiti, for individuals who continue to feel the prolonged strain caused by Hurricane Matthew. Working together with our new volunteers from Haiti, we provided over 3,200 bags of rice to 1,623 families during this distribution alone! With hearts alight in their enthusiasm, these volunteers – both local and from the US – worked together seamlessly to provide compassionate disaster relief.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

While meeting with local residents, volunteers spoke with Villefranche Cupidon, a farmer in need of aid. When the hurricane devastated the Southern coast of Haiti in 2016, families like that of Villefranche Cupidon lost all their crops. Although they have since attempted to plant new crops since then, their harvests, such as their black bean crop, have been tainted by disease. This has dramatically limited their ability to produce enough to sell at the market. Our long term disaster relief in Haiti, which includes a Cash-for-Relief program, aids in empowering farmers like Villefranche, to pave the way for bettering their own futures.

After Hurricane Mathew caused tremendous damage to the southern coast of Haiti last year, relief volunteers were there with helping hands outstretched, and our long-term disaster relief mission persists.

Today, as volunteers were traveling to their destination in Haiti, carrying vouchers for the distributions in the coming days, unexpected heavy downpours hindered their progress, soaking the vouchers. 5,000 vouchers for the people of Torbeck and Jérémie, Haiti, were utterly drenched.

It was then, when the situation became apparent, that residents and volunteers alike worked together to dry them! Some even climbed up onto rooftops, to help them better reach the sun’s warmth. Volunteers were incredibly grateful, and back on schedule to provide relief to those in need.