Haiti Earthquake Response Update #2
January 15, 2010
As compassion for Haiti turns into aid dollars, many are wondering how they can best help this hurting country. Long after the big aid organizations have left and the world has once again forgotten this troubled nation, Haitians will be left with a broken country. Hungry for Life International is committed to helping Haiti in the daunting but necessary task of rebuilding. Community groups, businesses and individuals wanting to help Haiti can assist financially in this vital mission.
"There's not going to be the same amount of attention down the road when the survivors of this tragedy will need the money the most," explains Dave Blundell, executive director of Hungry for Life. "This country will need money for building schools and homes long after the world grows tired of Haiti and the news reports stop."
Lisa Honorat of Haiti ARISE agrees that money for reconstruction will be a major need and one that will not be easy to secure. "People always quickly forget a disaster," she remarks. Her husband Marc was in Haiti when the earthquake struck, and reports that their perimeter walls are down and the school is in ruins. Haiti ARISE will need bricks and cement, not blankets and cereal, she explains.
While the world's eyes are turned to Haiti, this is the time to start thinking ahead and saving for the long and arduous process of rebuilding this broken nation. As finances allow, HFL plans to assist in rebuilding and construction of: homes, schools, orphanages, clinics, and churches. We already have partners set up in Haiti ready to work in the rebuilding process when the dust settles and the destruction is assessed.
While many Canadians are looking to help with immediate relief and assistance, there is no quick way for supplies to get into the country at this point. News stories report of cargo planes unable to land, massive logistical challenges for supplies already stockpiled on the ground by organizations such as the Red Cross and looting by people in desperate situations reducing the pile of emergency supplies. For an organization like Hungry for Life, we acknowledge the best use of our resources will be in the rebuilding process.
We are continuing to receive donations that will be used for assistance in reconstruction. As with all Hungry For Life projects, 100% of funds given to this project will be used for this project. Click here to be re-directed to a secure donation page, and in the "donation Designation" section, select "projects - Haiti: Earthquake Response" from the drop-down menu. For every $1 donated to Hungry for Life between now and February 12, the Canadian government will donate $1 to relief efforts in Haiti. If you need to speak to someone immediately regarding Hungry For Life's relief response in Haiti, please call 604-701-1503.
We will stand with Haitians when they need help to pick up the pieces of their broken lives and put them back together.