A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Haiti on August 14, followed by tropical depression Grace on August 16. The combined disasters have put tens of thousands of already vulnerable girls, boys and their families at risk. These two natural disasters compound an already difficult situation on the ground. They add to existing factors such as: COVID-19; political instability following the recent assassination of the country’s president; deteriorating security in some parts of the country; and persistent poverty. Haiti remains the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has not fully recovered from the massive earthquake of 2010 that affected over 3 million people. Three “departments”—Nippes, Grand’Anse and the South—are the most affected and represent 16 per cent of the country’s population of 11.4 million.” The death toll from the earthquake is over 2,100 and over 12,000 injured. Haiti’s civil protection agency reports over 52,000 homes destroyed and over 77,000 damaged. Tens of thousands of people are now without shelter and facing critical housing, water and hygiene needs. Numerous schools, health centres and other public buildings have been destroyed. A state of emergency has been declared and local and foreign rescue teams are searching for survivors. World Vision* has already deployed first responders to assess needs. Our immediate work includes assisting the first wave of 6,000 people, prioritizing the most vulnerable. Going forward, our response plan will target 60,000 children and 180,000 adults with a focus on water, shelter, food security, child protection and COVID-19 prevention. Our current resources don’t meet the immense need. Your support can help close the gap. Please donate now and help vulnerable girls, boys and families affected by the disasters in Haiti. Your donation will help provide life-saving essentials such as clean water, food, tarps, emergency kits and more. *World Vision Canada’s existing programs do not operate in the affected region and we’re heartened to say our beneficiaries and staff elsewhere in the country are safe and accounted for.
The earthquake struck southwestern Haiti at 8:30 am local time on August 14. It measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and was felt as far away as the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Approximately 129,000 homes have been either destroyed or damaged.
Approximately 600,000 people are in need of food, water and shelter.
Hospitals and health centres are overwhelmed and lack sufficient personnel and medical supplies.
Gangs and organized crime pose additional challenges to the mobilization and distribution of humanitarian aid.
Please donate now and help vulnerable children and their families affected by the disasters in Haiti. Your donation will help provide life-saving essentials and support such as:
distributing pre-positioned emergency supplies via the Dominican Republic,
ensuring the availability of clean water and water purifiers to prevent infectious diseases,
providing tents to shelter those who have lost their homes,
ensuring the well-being of vulnerable girls and boys;
and more
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
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