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On Saturday August 14th, 2021, a major earathquake brought the entire Southern region of Haiti to its knees. The news came as a shock to all of us. The information that began circulating immediately after the earthquake made us realize that, once again, Haiti had experienced a terrible event. It did not take long for the numbers to confirm this. At the time of the publishing of this article, the official partial death toll is 1,418 with another 6,900 injured, according to Civil Protection. We have been unable to breathe since.
Bad memories of January 12th, 2010 came rushing back. But not only the memory of the 220,000 dead and the more than $8 billion of material loss; the memory of the mismanagement of international aid that was promised to the country in the wake of the earthquake came flooding back, as well. A lot of people, perhaps because of our naivete, believed that the large gestures of solidarity could help us rebuild better, but sometime later we realized it was all an illusion. Money was wasted, and 11 years later, there is no bigger proof of the bad governance and incompetence of those responsible than the events of August 14th, 2021: no hospitals equipped well enough to receive the injured, and no lessons were learned to bring about better construction to prepare for such a disaster.
However, once again, we are seeing the Haitian people are present to help one another. Civil Protection has made it known that aid is being organized from all departments of the country to support the people of the Great South. And all around the world, as well as in the Iaitan diaspora, people who empathize with Haitians’ pain are helping as well as they can. To help those who would like to join the efforts, we have assembled a list of organizations and initiatives offering aid on the ground that could use your support.
Citizen Initiative
Woy Magazine is helping raise funds and distribute tents and tarps for those sleeping on the streets.
Make a donation to help purchase tents and tarps to the following organizations
Haitian organizations based in the South
Gaskov Clergé Fundation
Foundation Gaskov Clerge is an organization based in the south that has been providing health services over the last 10 years. Currently, the foundation is treating those injured while working on developing a strategy for long-term assistance.
Donate to Foundation Gaskov Clerge
SOS Sud
SOS Sud is an educational organization in Camp Perrin. They are currently distributing food and water, hygienic products, sheets, tents, and tarps.
The graphic below provides information on how to donate to SOS Sud
Port-au-Prince based Haitian organizations carrying out relief efforts in the South
FOKAL
FOKAL is a Haitian organization that has been doing impactful work for 25 years. FOKAL is receiving funds to channel to grassroots farmer and women organizations in the affected areas.
SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages is a village for children in Okay. They are leading relief efforts that will help countless children and families in the affected areas.
Donate to SOS Children’s Village
