EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #1

The Haitian Project is comforted that early reports from the school tell us that our students, staff, & volunteers are safe following yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti. We are encouraged by our leadership on the ground and their positive immediate reaction to the situation.

We have established direct communication with our leadership at the school via internet; they have affirmed that the school is doing better than most of Haiti: “LCS is doing very well compared to the rest of the country from what we have heard, and we all feel very fortunate to be in such a well-constructed school right now.”

We are fortunate to have Mr. Patrick Brun, our Board Chair who is Haitian and lives in Haiti, helping us to respond on the ground at the school. We have a tremendous group of staff and volunteers on campus responding to the disaster, which has helped to limit the impact on our community.

Unfortunately our President, Deacon Patrick Moynihan, left Haiti on Monday on a routine trip. He looks forward to getting back to Haiti on Friday or as soon as possible and having his family join him shortly after.

Deacon Patrick Moynihan: “The school is in the best condition that we could expect in the face of this disaster, and it is important that we now as quickly as possible ascertain the integrity of our buildings and ensure that we continue to have sufficient water and food for the immediate future.

Our first priorities continue to be to house and feed our students and help those in our community and neighborhood as we have for the past 22 years through the many difficult situations in Haiti.

I’m happy to report that our support community in the US has already responded and we have received notification that parishes and individuals have provided funds to help us meet the increasing demands of the situation.”

US Troops are needed on the ground in Haiti now to bolster the peace and support the UN mission, MINUSTAH. Disaster relief is also needed, especially medical relief at this time.

Your continued prayers and financial support are needed now more than ever - increased costs will be seen as we strive to continue our operations and repair damages from the disaster, as well as provide direct aid (medical, food, water, housing) to neighbors & employees.

The Haitian Project is committed to making the most immediate use of funds to helping the situation in Haiti.