Earthquake Causes Unimaginable Destruction in Haiti

A powerful earthquake that measured 7.0 hit Haiti just before 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, January 12. The epicenter of the quake was 10 miles southwest of the impoverished nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Reports have stated that 3 million people have been affected by this disaster.

Images of collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, injured and dead lying in the streets, and a cloud of dust over the devastated city are truly heart-wrenching. As we continue to learn more about the extent of the devastation, we join our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and Haitian Americans around our country who do not yet know the fate of their families and loved ones back home.

The Visitation Clinic, located four hours west of Port-au-Prince, withstood the major quake and tremors. While fissures formed on the side of the building, we are thankful that no one has been injured. Many of our employees have families back in Port-au-Prince, so you can imagine how very emotional this experience has been for them. However, thanks to the solid construction of our facility, no significant damage has occurred and the Clinic staff is prepared to treat anyone needing medical assistance.

The Matthew 25 Guest House in Port-au-Prince sustained some damages, but the staff reports they are functioning. During the evening of the earthquake, they treated the injured and prepared pots of soup. Several doctors realized the house was open and had a supply of medicines available, so they, were able to treat patients unable to be treated at local hospitals, most of which were severely damaged or destroyed.

Many have called and asked how they could help. We are suggesting several things. Visitation Hospital Foundation and the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas are setting up special emergency funds. If you would like to donate to either, please indicate “Emergency Earthquake Fund” on the Memo line of your check. Otherwise, you can consider a gift to Catholic Relief Services (community@crs.org), or, the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), there are also Direct Relief Services

organizations providing immediate emergency aid.

Thank you for your compassion for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.