The second night following the earthquake has come and gone. People have slept outdoors for the second night in a row. Many have lost their homes and others have homes but are wary of the aftershocks.
The photo below shows the multiple aftershocks that have occurred.
On Île-á-Vache, our ministry was blessed in the fact that the orphanage, guesthouse, schools, churches and the under-construction medical clinic are intact. Our caregivers and orphans are safe. We have so much to be thankful for.
The situation in LesCayes is dire. I am getting messages from people who have not been able to find water to drink and have gone without eating for more than 24 hours. Funding for food is important as people will be “knocking at our door” in search of help.
So many homes have been destroyed and the huge cracks in the roads are making travel even more hazardous than before, where only huge potholes and crazy traffic were the challenges.
Two area hospitals have collapsed making those that are open overrun with people needing help. Medical supplies are low or non-existent at the medical facilities. Funding is needed to ship items into Haiti or locate items for purchase that might be available within the city.
Banks are closed. Grocery stores have a lot of cleanup before they can sell anything, and only if their building is safe to enter.
It is overwhelming the number of homes destroyed. Certainly, people will need funds to rebuild. Homeowner’s insurance is not available in Haiti. If you have no money, your house will not be rebuilt. If you rent, the landlord is certainly also facing rebuilding challenges. Funds will be needed for building materials.
One example of a damaged home is in the photo below. Ironically, the house on the left, was our home for the seven years following the 2010 earthquake. The damaged house, when standing, was only six inches from our house. The crowd shown in the photo is watching as people search for survivors.
The home that we are currently living in has several cracks and the inside of the home has been damaged and all of the items in the house have been overturned. We have an engineer reviewing the photos in an attempt to determine if the house is compromised. The security wall located at the back of our home has collapsed and ended up on our banana and cashima trees. Our refrigerator and stove fell over. The CCF office’s printer was overturned and file cabinets doors were opened. This was no LITTLE earthquake. It was stronger than the 2010 quake.
People are still in shock and trying to think of what life will be like in the future. To add to their concern, a tropical storm (ironically named Grace - the same name as our ministry partners’ organization on Île-á-Vache) is slated to move over Haiti today or tomorrow. Rain is the last thing the people sleeping in the streets need. The photo below is from the National Hurricane Center showing the expected path of the storm.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
It goes without saying ..prayers are needed and appreciated! So many people have reached out to let us know they are praying. We thank you! An army of “pray-ers” have cried out to our God, the one who is on the throne and the Sustainer of the earthquake victims.
So much can be learned by the resilience of the people of Haiti. I vividly remember, immediately following the 2010 earthquake, people were in the streets praising God. Churches were overflowing with survivors. Christians throughout the country leaned on these verses from Psalm 46:
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Without a doubt, the people are again clinging to these verses and repeating them over and over.
A mere “Thank you” is not enough to say how much we appreciate your support. May God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you.
Nora Léon
Executive Director
Caribbean Children’s Foundation