Haiti Earthquake Emergency Appeal
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti has displaced thousands of families from their homes. They urgently need your help.
Almost 2,100 people have lost their lives and approximately 12,200 have been injured since two earthquakes of 7.2 and 6.6 magnitude struck on the morning of Saturday, August 14.
The earthquakes hit 125km west of capital Port-au-Prince, affecting the South, Grand'Anse and Nippe departments.
All three areas were further rocked by a number of aftershocks throughout the day and into the night, ranging from 4 – 5 on the Richter scale.
More than 130,000, houses have been damaged or destroyed, displacing thousands of families from their homes.
The UN says around 500,000 children now have limited or no access to shelter, safe water and food.
Local businesses have also been damaged or destroyed as has essential infrastructure such as hospitals and schools.
It is feared that casualties will rise significantly as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
Hurricane season
The disaster comes at a very precarious time for local populations, in the middle of Hurricane season.
Tropical Depression Grace struck Haiti on Monday August 16, hampering rescue efforts by dumping 10 inches of rain in the areas most affected by the earthquakes.
Thousands of people left without shelter from the earthquakes or sleeping outdoors for fear of further aftershocks were forced to spend the night outside in the rain.
"Countless Haitian families who have lost everything due to the earthquake are now living literally with their feet in the water due to the flooding," said Bruno Maes, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) representative in the Caribbean country.
Concern's response
“Shelter materials and clean water are the first priority for those now living outdoors, but sanitation needs will have to be addressed in the coming days,” said Concern’s Country Director in Haiti Kwanli Kladstrup.
We are coordinating with our partners to provide emergency shelter kits and other essential items such as plastic sheeting, blankets, soap and cooking utensils to families who have been displaced.
We are also planning to provide water, hygiene and sanitation supports as well as emergency cash transfers.
Further assistance will include provision of basic repair supplies, gender-based violence (GBV) mitigation, and community-based psychosocial support.
You can help
Displaced families urgently need your support. A donation from you today will help to provide families who have lost everything with the essential items they need to survive this crisis.
