On Aug. 14th, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti. Thousands have been left homeless and essential infrastructure has been destroyed. Forced onto the streets, earthquake survivors are vulnerable to COVID-19 and its delta variant. Hospitals are overwhelmed. Under our UN mandate to coordinate and manage displacement camps globally, IOM is on the ground providing life-saving supplies and building emergency shelters. But the challenges are tremendous, and we need your help.
More than 27,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the quake. Death tolls continue to rise as residents search for friends, neighbors, and loved ones in the rubble. With hurricane season quickly approaching displaced people urgently need assistance. So far, political instability and gang violence have hindered humanitarian actors' capacity to reach affected populations. Coming tropical storm Grace will further complicate relief efforts.
Struggling survivors need immediate access to food, safe drinking water, hygiene materials, and shelter. Your donation will support UN Migration to provide lifesaving supplies and establish emergency shelters for those whose homes were destroyed or are no longer safe to live in. Currently, we are assessing damaged structures so that they may be safely reinforced or rebuilt. Throughout recovery, UN Migration will maintain emergency facilities and offer psychosocial support to the community.
Emergency assistance for hard-working survivors prevents mass displacement and supports communities' long-term resilience. Without recovery support, affected communities will be forced to migrate in search of safety and livelihoods, exposing them to violence, hunger, and COVID-19. IOM will help Haitians rebuild their lives without having to abandon their communities. By working with the local government and community groups, IOM builds local capacity to respond to future crises.
