Disaster Relief for Hurricane Matthew

Dear Friends and Supporters, 

We are so grateful for the outpouring of support that we received in support of our partner the St. Luke Foundation's disaster relief efforts in the south of Haiti after the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew this fall. Directly following the hurricane, it was clear that the devastation in the southern region was severe. The immediate impact was the loss of the already-limited infrastructure in the region: roads, bridges, housing, agriculture, medical care, and of course the loss of access to clean water and food shortages. 

To address these needs, our partners at the St. Luke Foundation have made countless trips to the affected areas and have four focus areas for the disaster response: 

RESTORING AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS

We've provided resources and seeds to farmers replanting crops such as coconut and banana trees, yams, carrots, broccoli, corn, beans, millet, okra, and cassava.

In addition, our teams have purchased fishing boats, nets, and essential livestock to allow families to reclaim their independence and livelihoods.

HELPING FAMILIES REBUILD

After providing tents and emergency shelter in the days immediately following the hurricane, our teams have moved on to provide roofing, cement, and cinder block to help families repair and rebuild in ways that will last.

PROMOTING HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Our teams have supported hygiene and community health by providing water filtration systems, hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, Clorox, and aqua tabs,

We have also strengthened medical programs by opening a new St. Luke clinic in St Louis du Sud and continuing efforts to provide access to care in Jeremie province.

PROVIDING FOOD AND CLEAN WATER

In the days after the hurricane St. Luke teams provided large amounts of food and clean water in areas that were at risk for famine and extreme food insecurity. We have continued to supplement food supplies in areas of urgent need as we simultaneously focus on the vital replanting that will enable families in these areas to achieve greater food independence.

The disaster relief provided by the St. Luke Foundation has positively affected 5,000 families so far, including providing housing materials to 1,000 families, planting over 20,000 banana trees, and more. The most miraculous accomplishment thus far of the Hurricane Matthew Disaster Relief project has been the successful delivery of 1,000,000 pounds of supplies via barge! We have attached photos here of the successful mission and a link to the blog post written about the epic journey from the St. Luke Foundation. 

In closing, I wanted to share these words from Father Rick Frechette about the disaster relief effort and how the affected region is faring: 

Greener grows the grass,
Taller grow the sprouts,
and heavier on the mountains are the feet of those carrying building materials on their heads,
(in order to put a new roof over the same.)

Firmer are the hands tilling the earth to plant the crop of the season
(right now we are planting yams).

Brisker are the steps of the children who are back at school, and later hustling for water or wood.

Taughter are the hands on the fishing lines and nets, and steadying the boats on the moody sea.

Metered are the hooves of the animals we parade from local market to family farm.

Brighter are the eyes and more determined the minds of those working hard for a better tomorrow.

And, generous are the hearts (yours!) that are helping all of these good things to happen,
and these industrious people to reach that better tomorrow, one day at a time.

Thank you for your support. 

Links:

• Disaster Relief Blog Update