7.2 magnitude earthquake and tropical storm Grace hit Haiti one after the other
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Dear Friends of Jou Nouvo, With deep sadness and disbelief, we see the news that Southern Haiti was struck by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14th. Over 1,400 have died, 7,000 injured, and thousands more are without shelter as Tropical Storm Grace approaches. Founder and president of Jou Nouvo Kerline Tofuri said, “I never thought that in my lifetime I would witness another earthquake in Haiti that left the South Department with significant loss of life and structural damage in the cities of Cayes and Jeremie. We are heartbroken”. Fortunately for Jou Nouvo, the earthquake was not strong in Bon-Repos. We are thankful that all of our staff and families are safe; however, some Jou Nouvo family members in Cayes and Grand Anse have lost their homes and livelihood. Jou Nouvo staff and university students are actively assisting and supporting these families and many more, affected by this disaster. You can donate directly to Jou Nouvo to assist these families rebuild and regain hope. Every act of your generosity helps us further our mission to deliver whole life improvement to our community in Bon Repos, Haiti. For those looking for other ways to assist earthquake relief, we can recommend these effective organizations with longstanding grassroots ties to the South Peninsula region: St Boniface Hospital is the largest and best hospital in the Southern region. It was not damaged by the earthquake and is already treating many patients. It is operated by Health Equity International. Build Health International has mobilized to provide urgent healthcare infrastructure relief and repairs to hospitals across the Southern Peninsula. FOKAL is passing donations to local grassroots partners. Operation Blessing is helping provide food, water purification equipment, hygiene supplies and medicines. The General Directorate of Civil protection (DGPC) is a decentralized service on the Ministry of the interior and territorial communities. They have already set up a plan to gather resources from individuals and organizations and properly distribute them to the people affected. Color of Hope is a U.S. based organization working to improve the quality of life of Haitians in the U.S. and Haiti. We thank you for your concern and support of Jou Nouvo – for the people of Bon-Repos and Haiti. With gratitude, Kerline Tofuri, Founder |
