Episcopal Relief & Development Collaborating on Earthquake Response in Haiti

Updated February 10, 2010

In the wake of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working closely with local partners to assist those most impacted by this disaster. It is estimated that one in three Haitians were affected by the quake, roughly three million people.  The most recent numbers from the Haitian government indicate that the death toll has reached 230,000 people, and that number continues to climb. 

In the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, Episcopal Relief & Development is offering technical support and funds to help secure critical supplies for those in need. In addition to supplying food and water, the agency has secured vehicles to assist the diocese in delivering supplies, fuel for those vehicles and camping supplies to provide shelter. These efforts are expanding the diocese’s capacity to help the 25,000 survivors who are currently residing in 23 diocesan camps. Episcopal Relief & Development is also helping the diocese increase its capacity and human resources by enabling them to hire camp liaisons and logistics personnel.

The camps, many of which are located at the sites of the Episcopal churches and schools, range in size from a few hundred people to 8000. Camps are located in the following areas:

Crois des Bouquets                                       Grand Colline
Leogane                                                         17th section de Poucey
Port au Prince                                                 Petit Harpon
Delmas                                                            Bouteau
Carrefour                                                        Miragoane
Bolosse                                                           Petit-trou de Nippes
Taifer                                                               Bainet
Pointe Rouille                                                   L'azile
Cape Haitian                                                    Kompan
Montrouis
 

Prior to the earthquake Episcopal Relief & Development was partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti’s Development Office. This diverse program included fostering a network of 28 community development workers trained in disaster management. Since the quake, these development agents have completed initial needs assessments in their own communities, and they are providing their data to the Diocese and Episcopal Relief & Development. Their information is enabling the Diocese and Episcopal Relief & Development to work together, setting priorities for ongoing relief and recovery efforts.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, activities supported by Episcopal Relief & Development include:

Episcopal Diocese of Haiti

• Supplying over five tons of food to survivors living in diocesan camps. This includes both purchased and donated food.
• Delivering food by helicopter to six camps not accessible by vehicles. These camps are inhabited by more than 15,000 survivors. Each drop contains 216 pounds of rice, 204 pounds of beans, 12 gallons of oil and 36 kilograms milk powder.
• Constructing permanent latrines and clean water sites in eight camps. These new facilities will be earthquake-resistant. In addition to providing sanitation and clean water, the construction is creating jobs in affected communities.
• Conducting training on the proper installation and maintenance of at least 20 emergency water purification systems, which diocesan development agents are distributing throughout Haiti. Additional water purification needs are currently being assessed so that they can be adequately addressed.
• Working closely with the Diocesan Disaster Council, which has been charged by Bishop Duracin to coordinate the earthquake response and long-term recovery plans.

IMA World Health

• Providing 25 medicine boxes to diocesan community health workers. Each box contains enough pain relief medications, nutritional supplements, antibiotics and basic first aid supplies to assist 1,000 people in diocesan camps.

Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic

• Procuring and purchasing three trucks to transport supplies. Two of these trucks are being used by the Diocese of Haiti and the third is being used by the Diocese of the Dominican Republic.
• Gathering critical supplies and taking three supply shipments from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince each week.
• Setting up one Haitian Refugee Assistance Center in Santo Domingo and assessing needs for another potential assistance center's construction on the Haitian border.

As often as possible, Episcopal Relief & Development prefers to purchase items locally. This practice supports local economic recovery, creates local employment and ensures Haitian leadership in program design and management.

To assist those suffering in the wake of this disaster, please consider making an online donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Haiti fund or calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write “Haiti fund” in the memo of all checks.