Emergency4Haiti began distributions of tents, hygiene kits, dried biscuits, and bottled water to 350 homeless families in Canape Vert and Petionville in Port-au-Prince over the weekend.
The distributions were made at a car-wreckers yard in Petionville and in a disused lot in Canape Vert where the homeless had camped out. Some slept under roughly erected tarpaulins, others under the stars.
Beneficiary Dany Prince held on tightly to her 1-year-old daughter Julissa as the crowd jostled around her. "It's good to see the aid coming but we want to see more," she said.
Critical needs: food, clean water
Community organizer Benny carl, speaking at the car yard, said it was the first time the 280 people camped there had received a formal distribution of aid. They had relied on people in the neighborhood generously giving out basic supplies. "Our biggest need is food and water," he said, adding that a number camped at the yard were suffering from dehydration.
Mother Marie Janne said sometimes there was not even a sip of water to be had with which to take her medications.
It was not her only concern. Her son Michel Stevenson, 8, sustained head injuries when one of the walls in his home fell on him during the quake. Marie said he still suffers headaches and is scared to go indoors. As she related her story, many more beneficiaries pressed forward, pointing to their bandaged arms and injured legs. Many also wore head bandages like Michel.
Missing loved ones
Another mother, Gina Jean, related even deeper cuts. She explained how she was pulled from the rubble of her home shortly after the quake hit. Bewildered, she ended up sitting in a street full of screaming people. When she eventually composed herself, and was able to thank God that she was still alive, and her children had also gotten out, she was struck by a fresh fear: What about her husband out at work?
He has not been seen since the events of Tuesday. Gina has since checked the local hospitals without success. If things were not bad enough, she now lives on a patch of waste ground with her two children. One of them is only 4 months old. The other is 10. A few strung-up bed sheets and a washing line hung with clothes are their protection from the sun. These items amount to their home at the moment.
"It is shameful for my children to have to live like this," she said.
'We need everything'
Another beneficiary, Prednor Metellus, a school librarian, was asked what he would say to the outside world right now. Prednor lost his home in the quake.
"Pray for us so that God will remember us. Our needs are getting bigger. We need everything."
Two ways you can help
Please continue to pray for the children, families, and communities left devastated by this disaster in Haiti. Pray especially for those who are now homeless, injured, lack basic essentials, and have lost loved ones. Pray also for God's protection and guidance upon those who are responding with emergency assistance.
Donate now to Emergency4Haiti Fund. Your gift will help our staff members continue to rush emergency assistance to those in greatest need following this massive disaster -- like food, clean water, blankets, tents, and more.
Note for sponsors with a sponsored child living in Haiti or the Dominican Republic: We value your commitment to sponsoring a child in Haiti or its neighbor, the Dominican Republic. Our staff on the ground report that all sponsored children in World Vision sponsorship communities and surrounding areas are safe at this time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we learn more. Please know that if your sponsored child is directly affected, it is our policy to notify you as soon as possible.