To The Editor:
Dear Friends,
Haiti was hit by a 7.2 earthquake Saturday morning. We are thankful to report that all our Amurtel team members and children are safe, but there is tremendous damage in the southwest part of the country. This is an area Amurtel had set up a women’s micro credit program after Hurricane Mathew hit in 2016, and we have not yet heard from the women if they and their families are OK.
Our local community partners on the ground in Les Cays have told us of considerable destruction -- much more serious than shared by mainstream media. While the disaster has not taken as many lives as the 2010 earthquake, it is clear that we are facing a long and challenging period of humanitarian and rebuilding effort ahead, made more difficult by the deteriorating security situation and general instability of the country, as well as the spike in COVID infections and the impending hurricane season.
AMURT/EL is providing three types of immediate assistance in four targeted regions around Les Cays -- temporary shelter, food and child-friendly spaces/psycho-social support for children. This is a critical time with search and rescue operations still ongoing in hopes of finding survivors. After immediate needs are met, Amurtel will work with women in establishing a way forward that offers hope for them and their children.
If you would like to help our neighbors in Haiti, your tax-deductible donation will indeed make a difference. Checks can be sent to Amurtel, P.O. Box 232, Warren, VT 05674.
With thanks,
Joni Zweig, president
Amurtel North America
