Two Years Later: HHF Reflects on Haiti’s Earthquake
Read HHF Employees’ Reflections on the Earthquake
A newborn is carried off of the dangerously overcrowded ferry from Port-au-Prince, days after the earthquake of January 12, 2010.
It’s difficult to believe that it’s been two years since the tragic earthquake struck Haiti. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people were killed or injured, and many are still living in subhuman conditions – in tent cities teeming with violence, their residents suffering from malnutrition.
In my past few visits to Haiti, I have been frustrated traveling through Port-au-Prince. With more than $5 billion pledged and raised for Haiti following the earthquake, it is heartbreaking to see this awful lack of progress. However, I am slowly beginning to see some positive changes in the capital city – for example, there appear to be fewer tent encampments in Port-au-Prince and the buildings at the international airport are slowly being renovated.
I am pleased to report many positive changes in HHF’s catchment area in southwest Haiti. As I’ve noted in the past, immediately after the earthquake approximately 120,000 internally displaced persons fled Port-au-Prince to come to the Jérémie area, and our public health department continues to monitor the inflow and outflow of earthquake migrants.
With the help of generous benefactors, HHF responded immediately to this influx, providing food, medical care, business opportunities, and other relief to these traumatized people, many of whom left Port-au-Prince with little more than the clothes on their backs. HHF has rebuilt almost 1,000 houses that were destroyed or severely damaged. Other positive changes in the area included a road repair partnership project with another relief agency, which helped to provide HHF with better access to remote villages and created temporary income for unskilled laborers.
HHF’s public health director, Dr. Bette Gebrian, says, “We remember those who died, were injured, and lost jobs, houses and, almost, their hope. But, we have been inspired by the strength of the Haitian people that we work with here to pick up and move forward.”
HHF continues to be ready for any future emergencies. Food and medical stockpiles have been replenished thanks to our many benefactors. Our prayer is for a breather for Haiti, victimized by the earthquake, hurricanes, and the very lethal cholera outbreak.
HHF appreciates and continues to need your financial support as we begin our 30th year of service to thousands of wonderful people trapped in poverty.
On their behalf, merci!
Jeremiah J. Lowney, Jr., DDS, MS, MPH
Messenger of the Poor of Haiti
HHF Founder and President
PS: HHF welcomed a number of earthquake survivors to our permanent staff in Jérémie and we are proud of their contributions to the Haitian Health Foundation. We recently asked some of them for their reflections on that tragic day; please read their thoughts about how the earthquake — and their journey to HHF — has forever altered their lives.
Pascal, a nurse, is responsible for six family members. “My life changed for the worse because all that I had was lost and I started again at zero. Although I lost my mother in the earthquake, I am better now because HHF gave me a job. All of us need to stop and pray to commemorate the day.”
Naleine, responsible for eight family members, says, “Everything changed. My house was destroyed and I lost my business and everything else. Right now, I am not too bad and not too good. I am working at HHF and this helps me to live. I have a great deal of sadness when I remember my people who died and my husband’s lost job. Since then, I alone am the woman and the man of the house, with the grace of HHF.”
Herla came to Jérémie by boat after sleeping on the street with her husband and injured toddler. HHF gave her a job as a housekeeper; she relies on this income to care for seven family members. Herla says, “I feel sad because I lost my mother and father, who had helped me a lot. I will never forget that day. My son’s lost eyesight is my souvenir. Because of the grace of Sister Maryann and HHF, I have received help: food, medical and surgical care for my child, and a job. I feel OK because my child still has a life.”
Jonas, hired as a cook, reflects, “My family helped me – I had nothing, not even clothes! I feel sad, remembering the day of the earthquake, because I was face to face with death. God saved me. Now I feel happy because I am not sick and I am working at HHF.”
