Monday, August 27, 2012

Haiti reels after Tropical Storm Isaac

News from Robin Mahfood and Food for the Poor Intl Team

Robin wanted to share with you the news from Haiti, as the country struggles to recover from the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac. Nine people have died as a result of the storm. The impact of the storm was widespread with Thomazeau, Jacmel, St. Marc, and Croix des Bouquets being hardest hit. In the southern area by Jacmel, the agricultural damage was extensive and this will make it even harder for the local residents to have sufficient food, as they rely on those crops for the foundation of their food source. More food aid will be required as they replant.
A lot of the damage was from roofs being pulled off by the high winds and the amount of time the storm swirled over the island. Many repairs will be required to ensure the safety of the people in those homes.
In other areas, Rachel's school and the village in Kay Piti came through in good shape. We are attaching some photos for you of the agricultural damage, as well as some of the homes that came through in good shape. Food For The Poor homes were able to provide safe shelter for thousands during this storm. It is more critical now than ever that we get more people out of tents and into our safe structures. If people want to help, that is how they can be most effective.
Our feeding center in Port-au-Prince opened as usual this morning and will be serving 15,000 hot meals today. Food For The Poor did incur some damage to the warehouse roof, but it did not delay relief efforts.
Please find attached the coverage of Food For The Poor for the last few days from local and national media.
We also are attaching some photos that staff photographer Ben Rusnak took in the field over the weekend. The first two show the agricultural damage in Jacmel. The third photo is from a family that has a Food For The Poor home and came through unscathed. The other photos show the vulnerability of the population that still needs our help!
August 24: NBC News posted a photo taken by Benjamin Rusnak on their homepage. This photo link led the coverage for several hours in the evening.
Aug. 27: CNN International "As Isaac approaches, what about Haiti?" By Wyclef JeanThere are. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam, the International Medical Corps, Project Medishare, Doctors Without Borders, Food For The Poor, J/P HRO, Donna Karan's Urban Zen organization, and We Advance, just to name a few, have done and continue to do outstanding work. But after the earthquake, most (including the media) stopped paying attention, either believing they had done all they could, or maybe because they were simply tired or overwhelmed. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/24/opinion/jean-haiti/index.html
August 24: The Ledger "Isaac Threatens Haiti's Homeless Population – Earthquake victims brace for flooding; storm strengthens as its projected track shifts back eastward toward Florida." By Trenton Daniel, The Associated Presshttp://www.theledger.com/article/20120824/NEWS/120829612/0/NEWS06
August 24: NBC Channel 6 "Rain Leading To Flooding and Mudslides a Concern As Isaac Nears Haiti"
And the organization Food For The Poor is already helping – distributing what's needed to 24 different locations with staff members in Haiti monitoring the storm – a storm that has many people in South Florida concerned.http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Rain-Leading-To-Flooding-and-Mudslides-a-Concern-As-Isaac-Nears-Haiti-167394975.html
August 24: NBC Channel 6 "First responders Prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac in Haiti The American Red Cross and Food For The Poor are among the organizations responding"Food for the Poor
The Coconut Creek-based international relief and development organization says it has sent provisions to 24 distribution centers in Haiti before the storm arrives, and staff members are on alert there to monitor developments. Meantime, Food for the Poor has more supplies ready at its Coconut Creek warehouse. It asks people to make donations to cover the cost of shipping and help provide immediate relief to Haitians here.
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