August 18, 2021
Hello from Haiti!
Saturday, August 14 brought more trouble for Haiti.
Early in the morning on Saturday, a strong earthquake hit the southwest part of Haiti. The USGS states it measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, comparable to the quake that devastated Port-au-Prince in 2010. If there is any good news, it is that it hit a less densely populated part of the country, but there is still extensive damage and loss of life. As if that were not enough, tropical storm Grace passed over the area on Monday, drenching those who lost their homes. The information is constantly changing, but local Haitian news reports currently indicate at least 2,000 people have lost their lives and more than 10,000 have been injured. These numbers are likely to increase in the days to come as more information becomes available.
Aid is coming in, but small villages may be forgotten.
The north part of the country (where the clinic we so often write about is located) was spared. The damage is primarily in the southwest part of the country. We have connections there as well, though.
For the last few years we have been working with Pastor Francky Jean-Baptiste of Nazaréen Church of God located in the tiny village of Lafige. You will not find this village on the map. The nearest town you will find on the map is Jeremie, and Lafige is a two-hour motorcycle ride from there over rough terrain. The earthquake was centered about 40 miles to the east of Lafige. The church was damaged and 20 homes in the village were destroyed. There have been an as-yet-undetermined number of fatalities and injuries.
People in remote villages like this are worried that aid from the larger organizations will not get very far from Les Cayes, a larger city with a port. The concern is that larger cities like this, which indeed do need a lot of help, will soak up all of the aid and that none will get out to tiny places like Lafige. These village residents also lack the advantage many people have in larger towns, in that they do not have family that immigrated to the U.S. who can send help to them. They feel alone and the situation can be desperate.
What can we do to help?
These are some of the reasons we want to continue to work with Pastor Francky to bring aid directly into this small village. The most significant needs are construction material and food. Everything is available within Haiti, so we do not plan to deal with the logistical challenges of shipping aid in from the U.S. By buying within the country, we also stimulate the local economy, which is desperately needed. Any financial gift will go from Haiti Cheri to the village in its entirety. The organization will give every dollar to this need. Pastor Francky will use any funding wisely to help rebuild homes and provide emergency food relief, as well as other needs he may determine. Are you in a position to help? If so, just click here:https://www.haiticheri.org/donate. Please include a comment that it is for earthquake relief when you give. You can also mail a gift to the address at the very bottom of this email. As always, whether you can give or not, we are grateful for your prayers for Haiti and this ministry during yet another time of trial.
