Earthquake hits Haiti – Youthaiti responds
Dry toilet at Youthaiti Center for Sustainable Development destroyed in earthquake
On August 14, 2021 a 7.2 earthquake hit southwest Haiti killing over 2000 people and injuring thousands. In Duchity, where Youthaiti works, hundreds were injured and thousands left homeless. Youthaiti staff are all well, although some have lost family members in the quake. They are making assessments of the damage and the ongoing needs in the 18 communities we serve.
The Youthaiti Center building still stands, but it is cracked in multiple places and will require a trained engineer to assess if it is safe. The walls surrounding our yard and our demonstration dry toilet have fallen down. We wonder about the toilets throughout the communities. The work ahead of us is huge.
But Youthaiti remains committed to the people of Haiti and especially to the people of Duchity. Our usual work of sanitation, hygiene and gardens will not be forgotten. But right now our energies are focused on helping people survive this most recent catastrophe.
The work has already begun. We are making assessments of all the villages we serve and coordinating medical outreach to some of the hardest to reach. We are buying materials to repair the local water system that serves the village, along with treatment to make the water safe. We have the first shipment of almost 300 tarps to distribute to families who spent Tropical Storm Grace in the rain without shelter. Medical supplies are coming in from various partners. We are planning mobile clinics with local Haitian doctors and nurses when supplies are adequate.
Recovery will be long and slow. So many houses need to be repaired and people need to heal from injuries that may prevent them from earning a livelihood. Youthaiti will stand by with support to help people get on their own feet again.
Your support is critical. Thank you to those who have donated already. We have raised over $33,000 in the first week. Thank-you!
We know we need to raise $100,000 in the next few weeks, and much more over the next few months as we start to rebuild.
Will you join in helping the people of Duchity now?
Donate here: https://youthaiti.org/home/donate-now
In Haiti’s remote villages, help is still grassroots, urgently needed