NYS HABETAC
 
 
 

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 catastrophic earthquake, the worst in 200 years.  Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Petit-Goave and surrounding areas are completely devastated.  Many of us have family and friends who have either lost their lives or have been displaced among the three million people who lived or were visiting in the area.  The inability to respond quickly and the lack of communication have been the most stressful aspect of this critical situation.  Landmarks such as the Cathedral, hospitals and government buildings, including the national Palace, have been destroyed.  Many countries and various organizations are coming to Haiti’s aid; however, there is a need for a coordinated effort to reach out to all the affected areas.  Most of those who survived are homeless or unable to inhabit their fractured houses with the aftershocks that continue to occur.  Others have been able to pull their resources together with other family members or friends and try to survive as a group.  Many still remain with no water, food, medical supplies, nor any access to medical care.  

 

The Haitian community thanks all those who have reached out or have donated to the Haiti relief efforts.  For now, representatives are asking that donations be given to agencies that have the capacity to provide the kind of help needed at this present time, large organizations that have been working in Haiti and can provide immediate assistance such as: the Red Cross, UNICEF, Food for the Poor, Doctors Without Borders (specify /Haiti).  Go online for information on these organizations. 

  •  Text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
  • Mercy Corps: Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669 , Portland , Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-1900
  • Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti, an organization started by Wyclef Jean to provide humanitarian aid to Haiti.

Some Haitian organizations are also making every effort to provide much needed aid. 

Donations to well-known community and regional organizations are also encouraged as they build capacity to provide assistance to those in Haiti as well as Haitians in the diaspora. 

Supportive services will be needed for Haitian families living and coming to New York and other states.  New York, Florida, and Georgia have been designated as possible repatriation sites for displaced earthquake victims.

Medical personnel volunteers are needed.  Anyone wishing to volunteer for any services can e-mail us at: habetac@brooklyn.cuny.edu and we will provide them with further information.