We have received word that our school community in Puit Chacha is safe and that the school itself remains structurally sound following the devastating earthquake on the southern peninsula of the island. However, several thousand people closer to the epicenter sadly lost their lives, and many more are suffering from serious bodily injuries. Homelessness and a lack of food supplies, clean water, and shelter continue to afflict hundreds of thousands.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley requested all parishes throughout the Archdiocese to take up a second collection this weekend to aid Catholic Relief Service’s response to the urgent needs of the Haitian people. IC Haiti fully supports this relief effort. We were also hoping to help Saint Boniface Hospital in Fond des Blancs as many earthquake victims have been transferred there for immediate medical attention. The hospital is setting up additional emergency operating rooms to deal with the constant flow of people needing surgery. Hospitals closer to the epicenter have either been badly damaged or are now inundated with patients. Less we forget, covid is still on the rise in Haiti.

St. Boniface Hospital is run by Health Equity International, our partner in Haiti. This is why we (IC Haiti) would like to help to defray the cost for the construction and equipping of the additional operating rooms. If you would like to help in this endeavor, please donate to IC Haiti any time after this weekend, designating your contribution specifically for this purpose or just indicate “OR construction” on your check. We thank you in advance for your generosity on behalf of the people of Haiti.