The death toll in Haiti continues to rise in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, with over 1,000 lives confirmed lost, and exponentially more suffering as roads turned to rivers, buildings crumbled, and entire crops were wiped out.
I returned from Miragoane just before the hurricane hit. The damage is unimaginable, and I am calling on all our friends and supporters to step up.
United Nations Secretary General Ban-ki Moon is traveling to Haiti this weekend to raise visibility around the need to not allow relief efforts to falter.
The risks communities are facing include:
- The current cholera epidemic worsening
- Lack of nutrition with nearly 100 percent of crops and 50 percent of livestock destroyed in the worst hit areas
- Damage to or complete destruction of medical facilities
- A disastrous shortage of clean drinking water
When I was in Miragoane, I had the great honor to visit the Haiti180 Mission with a newly constructed medical clinic where many took refuge during the storm; thirty five children living in an orphanage; more than 200 children in primary school; and a hospice for the elderly.
Photo: Haiti180
It is a beautiful place with beautiful people. The elderly serve as grandparents to the oprhans, and the orphans as sweet and loving grandchildren to the elderly.
There are many organizations worth supporting, but today I am encouraging those who wish to do something for the people of Haiti to donate to www.haiti180.com. 100% of your donation will go directly to the mission.
On behalf of our Haitian brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews,
Meci Anpil!
– Deb
