Situation Report: Haiti Earthquake
Photo: Thomas Noreille/ACT Alliance
Situation
On August 14, 2021, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, killing at least 2,000 people. Initial assessments indicate that 77,000 houses were damaged and 53,000 houses were destroyed. Other infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, bridges and water systems were also damaged. The effects of the earthquake will be long-lasting as communities face recovery amidst existing poverty and food insecurity.
Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is contributing to an appeal from Church World Service (CWS). In the commune of Pestel in Grand-Anse, CWS is focusing on health, water and sanitation, shelter and psychosocial care. There is a special emphasis on supporting students as the school year begins in Haiti.
Additionally, Lutheran Disaster Response is supporting ACT Alliance, which is working through local partners in Grand-Anse and Sud departments to assist survivors through cash vouchers, shelter, hygiene kits and access to clean water.
CWS and ACT Alliance will continue to be present as communities move from relief to long-term recovery, rebuilding homes, schools and water infrastructure. Lutheran Disaster Response is also collaborating with the Florida-Bahamas Synod's Global Mission Table in accompanying the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti's humanitarian response.
Be a part of the response
Pray
Please pray for people who have been affected by the earthquake in Haiti. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.
Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response (Haiti Crisis) will be used in full (100%) to assist survivors in Haiti until the response is complete.
Connect
To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response: