Folks,
Time for a quick update. This week a few local NGO’s met here in Leogane and agreed to a plan. On Thursday, my long standing friend, Jamison, and I ventured over to Les Cayes to assess the situation.
The cities are mostly rubble, and the rescue effort has ceased. This means that work is no longer focused on finding victims but has switched to removing rubble (by hand – there is no big equipment for such a task) and taking care of people. Major relief organizations that were all over the place ten years ago are not as visible. There seems to be little leadership and little organization of the recovery efforts. We pitched in as we could for a few hours which meant moving rubble out of the way.
I have to say it was an overwhelming scene.
We also stopped to learn what was happening in the countryside. People are more isolated there, and the need is great. Those with little now have nothing. Our efforts will be directed there.
The immediate work is to provide water, food, medical supplies, and tents or tarps. We will be putting together a truck load of those items this coming week. Should you wish to donate for those supplies, send a check or make an online donation (below) and simply make a note that it is for earthquake relief (use the box where you can request a notification to someone about the donation).
Keep Haiti in your prayers.
Michael Anello
Executive Director
Executive Director
Maria.