By Sarah Forrest | Director of Philanthropy and Communications
Just before 8:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, August 14 2021, a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southwest of Haiti in the mountains between the Nippes Department and Sud Department.
The earthquake has affected more than 800,000 people. Over 12,000 people were injured, hundreds remain missing, and to date, over 2,248 deaths have been recorded. More than 137,000 homes were destroyed or damaged in the earthquake, in addition to medical facilities, schools, government buildings, and businesses.
The South, where LFBS is located, has been one of the most deeply affected regions. Since August 14th, the LFBS team has sprung into action, providing emergency lifesaving assistance to our beneficiaries, partners, and their communities. Our own staff, many of whom lost their own homes in the earthquake and some of whom are still living in tents, have been working around the clock to mobilize and distribute emergency shelter, nutrition, hygiene kits, medical supplies and care to those in need. We have been supporting local child protection authorities in their response to protect children and prevent trafficking and separation, as well as focusing on psychosocial support for separated children.
We have also been engaging in increased outreach work to educate donors about the fact that it is illegal to start new orphanages in Haiti. The 2010 earthquake saw a huge increase in the number of orphanages in Haiti and local authorities are still trying to shut them down. Orphanages harm children and we are working to ensure that the mistakes of 2010 are not repeated. Vulnerable children should be supported in family and community-based care. No child should be moved, placed in a home, or separated from their families without the consent of Haitian Social Services (IBESR).
Some of the hardest hit regions in Haiti, the Sud Department and the Grand Anse region, have 14 & 20 'red' orphanages respectively, meaning these orphanges have been flagged as illegal, corrupt and/or abusive and do not have the approval of Haitian authorities. Giving to orphanges undermines the work of local authorities to shut down these institutions and reunite children with their familes and communities. To help vulnerable children, it is essential to give to local, community-based organizations that support children in family & community settings and work in collaboration with Haitian authorities.
As we near the end of October, we are starting to transition away from emergency aid and begin to focus on long-term recovery efforts. Our staff have been focusing on completing and analyzing evaluations of beneficiaries' needs following the earthquake. Our recovery efforts will encompass housing repairs, rebuilding, business reinforcement, and mental health support. We are preparing to provide 20 homes as soon as possible to the most vulnerable families identified in our evaluations, however there are many more families that need homes or critical repairs.
Success Stores & recent activities
September school openings have been delayed as a result of the earthquake and recent insecurity, but we are in the midst of of preparing our child and youth benediciaries for their upcoming school year. Our staff have been meeting with children and their families, preforming evaluations, and making sure that each child is ready to excel in their upcoming studies. This includes ensuring children have appropritate nutrional care, can attend doctor's visits, and have all the supplies and materials they will need for the school year.
Though recent insecurity has delayed school and vocational programming, many of the youth we support have still been able to progress in their courses or even complete their certification!
We are thankful for our partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, which has enabled us to provide a very high volume of emergency kits and supplies consisting of tarps, bedding, clothes, hygiene and PPE, nutritional supplements and non perishable food items, which we have distributed both through our own distributions and through our local partner organizations. We have also been able to create employment by hiring local labour to assist in preparing the kits and transporting supplies.
Additionally, we are preparing for a distribution from our partner organization Trees that Feed, which will be delievered to families in need who will then be trained on how to care for these plants by one of the agronomy students who we support in their studies and employ!
LFBS in the Media
Since June, our staff have participated in a number of important interviews with CBC News. Our Executive Director Morgan was also featured in El País, in addition to participating in a live Q&A as part of a panel for this year’s International Social Change Film Festival. This ongoing outreach has been vital in raising awareness about providing effective support following the earthquake and the crucial work LFBS continues to do in Haiti. Check out the links below to catch-up on these important conversations!
Thank you!
Thank you for being a part of our incredible community of supporters and donors. While the situation in Haiti remains complex, because of you, we are making real, impactful, and lasting changes in the lives of children, families, and communities. You are a partner in this work and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for your interest, support, and caring, and for being a catalyst for change.
Thank you for your shared commitment to our vision that every child in Haiti grows up in a safe, loving, and self-sustaining family.
Upcoming ways to support LFBS
#GivingTuesday
GlobalGiving’s 2021 #GivingTuesday campaign is coming up on November 30th, 2021. The campaign will last 24 hours, from 00:00:00 EST to 23:59:59 EST on November 30, 2021. By donating to LFBS through GlobalGiving during this time period, you will allow us to be eligable to receive a portion of GlobalGiving's $1,000,000 USD Incentive Fund.
*Donations up to $2,500 per unique donor per organization will be eligible to receive Incentive Funds
Links:
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