Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Earthquake Relief in Haiti Update February 2010

It is now one month since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti. The Haitian Government reports over 200,000 people were killed, 300,000 were treated for injuries and 250,000 were houses destroyed. Seven organized settlements have been established for 42,000 homeless people; some 460,000 people remain in 315 makeshift camps. Despite this, the resilience of the Haitian people is heard in a popular saying on the streets and in the camps, "Nou bite men nou pap tonbe: We may stumble but we will not fall."

CRS, working with Caritas Haiti, the local Church's charitable agency, has focused on the distribution of food and emergency shelter kits, and coordination with partners on water, sanitation, health and security issued. To date, CRS has provided food to 533,422 people at Petionville Golf Club camp, downtown Port-au-Prince and outside areas.

Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of prayers and support for the Haitian people. Your contribution has made it possible for our Diocese to send over $559,500.00 to Catholic Relief Services for Haiti relief and development. For more information on CRS' relief efforts in Haiti as well as prayer resources, educational resources, and information on how you can help with the long-term rebuilding process, call 877-Help-CRS (877-435-7277) or contact Lisa Laliberte, CRS coordinator for the Diocese of Phoenix, at llaliberte@diocesephoenix.org or (602) 354-2125.