Ongoing Recovery in Haiti

 

January 12, 2010 brought unprecedented devastation to the island nation of Haiti. Even now, years later, recovery continues. Operation USA remains committed to this effort–and is proud of our achievements to date.

 

In 2016, we recommitted to Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Your donations continue to improve the lives of the children and families who most need support.

 

In 2010, we responded rapidly to the disaster–shipping emergency aid within days of the earthquake. All told, we delivered $5.5 million in donated medical equipment, energy materials, food, and shelter supplies by air and by sea to Haiti in the months following the earthquake. Operation USA went on to identify the city of Jacmel as the focus of long-term recovery programs. The city–located on the southern end of the island and home to 40,000 residents–was devastated by the earthquake, with hundreds killed, thousands injured, and more than 70% of homes leveled.

 

In 2011, Operation USA, in partnership with Honeywell, completed the construction of Ecole Nationale JM Henriquez. The nine-building school campus houses fifteen classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a community garden, a computer lab, a soccer field and a basketball court. It was designed pro bono by Gensler, with structural engineering by seismic experts Miyamoto International, to withstand future earthquakes. The school serves more than 900 students who otherwise would not have a safe space to learn, grow and thrive in the wake of the disaster.

 

In the years since the earthquake struck Haiti, Operation USA has also funded and supported various programs aiding children’s recovery–including those of L’Athletique d’Haiti, which served as an emergency shelter following the earthquake and continues to serve youths with sports programs today.

 

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew (a category 4 storm) struck Haiti, devastating communities still vulnerable from the 2010 earthquake. With a reported 900 people killed, thousands displaced, and millions impacted by a loss of crops, decreased access to clean drinking water, and a resurgence of the cholera epidemic, Operation USA recommitted to relief and recovery in the country. In November, OpUSA’s country director and partners facilitated the distribution of relief kits containing tarps, food, water purification supplies and hygiene items to families in the hardest hit areas of Grand Anse. Later, in early 2017, we furthered the distribution of relief kits, as well as school supplies, to students and families in the community of Jacmel. These much needed supplies will aid families as they continue to overcome obstacles on the path to recovery.

 

Through 2017, Operation USA continued to support the school and its feeding program, which provided a daily hot meal to more than 600 students who might not otherwise have access to nutritious food. Today, we continuously seek opportunities to provide support through school maintenance, the provision of learning supplies and equipment, and the facilitation of nutrition and enhanced learning programs. As funding allows, Operation USA hopes to relaunch the feeding program and will continue to expand programs in Haiti to ensure that recovery–both physical and emotional–continues.

 

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Updates:

 

Haiti Earthquake Recovery – 5 Years Later

 

Hurricane Matthew Relief: How To Help

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