Haiti Earthquake

Hundreds of deaths, an almost non-existent health system, armed gangs that hinder rescue with robberies and kidnappings, the terrifying earthquake (7.1) that devastated Haiti on the eve of August 15th requires everyone’s attention. This is why we at Specchio dei Tempi immediately opened a fundraiser together with our sister non-profit organization Specchio d’Italia: because we already experienced, eleven years ago, the drama of the previous earthquake (less violent, but with the capital Port Au Prince as its epicenter, therefore with thousands of deaths). We then intervened to support the activity of the Saint Camille Hospital in Port Au Prince, also contributing to the construction of a clinic in Jeremee, in the southernmost part of the island, which is today also the area most affected by the last earthquake.

“At the moment there are two priorities – explains Father Antonio Menegon – assistance to the wounded who often find themselves in villages completely devoid of basic medical facilities and the finding of housing alternatives to the destroyed houses. The first emergency is made more critical both by the roads that cross the tormented and mountainous area affected and by the presence of gangs of criminals who, after the recent political troubles in the country, have gained strength and are continually carrying out robberies, kidnappings and violence. Alongside the tragedy of the earthquake, here we must also deal with a profound social drama”.

Father Robert Daudier is the director of the Saint Camille Hospital: “The earthquake was very violent even in the capital, but it is in the Jeremee area that the situation is truly tragic. In fact, it is difficult to prune rescue by land because the Martissant area, along the way, has been in the hands of bandits for more than two months: they shoot passing cars, attack passers-by, kidnap those who can pay for something, and whites they are the most at risk. We need help to overcome these difficult situations, perhaps even trying to use a helicopter. The population was no longer able to cope with these terrible socio-political conditions. And now the earthquake has arrived, with hundreds and hundreds of deaths, thousands of houses destroyed, tens of thousands of families in very serious difficulty, including food”.

*Foto Ansa / La Stampa