Haiti Earthquake - An Update from HELP

Newsletters/Updates
Written By Reiff Valliant & Co.

Dear Friends,

As many of you have already heard, Haiti’s southern peninsula was hit by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Saturday morning. Many aftershocks followed, some greater than magnitude 5.

The latest reports have at least 1,300 dead. This is yet another blow to Haitians who have endured two years of almost continuous turmoil, insecurity, and resulting economic decline.

Luckily for HELP, the earthquake was not strong in Port-au-Prince, and we do not yet have reports of any loss of life or serious injury among the families of our staff and students in the southern region, however, some family members have lost their homes.

Although HELP is not a relief organization, when possible, we do assist students and graduates in their efforts to provide support to their hometowns. We will be sure to keep you updated as these activities take shape in the coming weeks. 

In the meantime, for those looking to assist we can recommend several effective organizations with longstanding ties to the region:

  • Lidé’s operations in Les Cayes, one of the hardest hit cities, are run by HELP alumnus Rosaline Duclair (nursing ‘16).

  • Hope for Haiti has deep ties to the region.

  • Hôpital St Boniface is the largest and best hospital in the region, employing several HELP graduates.

  • HTF, HELP’s longstanding partner, is preparing a relief operation.

  • FOKAL is passing donations to local grassroots partners.

Natural disasters may be unavoidable, but Haiti’s lack of physical and human infrastructure leaves the country vulnerable to disaster and without resources to recover in the aftermath. HELP has been working on this problem over the long term. As we near 300 graduates and see them taking on leadership roles in institutions like Lidé and St. Boniface Foundation, HELP’s impact is taking hold.

Gifts to HELP are always welcome as we continue to address the structural problems that exacerbate natural disasters like these in Haiti.

Thank you, always, all for your concern and your support for the people of Haiti.

Best,
The HELP Team

Reiff Valliant & Co. https://reiffvalliant.co
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