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February 23 2010 - News From HAÏTI
The Chair of the International Emergency Relief Committee, Clermont Fortin, has had continued contacts by E-mail and telephone with members of the Conseil National d’Haiti (CNH) since our last update on January 25.
All members of the Conseil National have survived the earthquake and are still living in temporary shelters (tents). The building housing the Haiti National Office has been so damaged that it cannot be used.
Few members lost their lives in the South, other members were affected by the death of relatives and friends. Vincentians as most people in Haiti at this time are without much resources; National President Élismé’s house has been destroyed and he is now unemployed (teacher). Contact with members of the CNH has confirmed the extent of the devastation on the members and, the few means they have to help themselves and the poor they serve.
On January 26, 2010, after confirming that banking operations had resumed in Port-au-Prince, the National Council sent, though usual secure banking channel, a small sum of money to test the reliability of the transfer system. The Treasurer of the CNH confirmed on February 6, 2010 that the funds had been received. President Élismé also confirmed that transfers to the four (4) Regional Councils in Haiti was possible. He has had contacts with Executive members of the 4 Councils, they have all survived and were waiting for assistance.
The Executive of the National Council is now ready to transfer more funds to the Conseil National d’Haiti. As well, your National Council will be activating the transfers of funds to the 4 regions as per the Distribution System established in 2009 by the ICG and National Council. Transfer of funds to established twinned conferences can resumed. All transfers, as in the past, are subject to proper acknowledgement and accountability. The Recovery and Re-construction stages in Haiti will take a long time; our Brothers and Sisters need our help now, hence our desire to assist to re-establish contact and channelling of funds as soon as possible. Prayers and affection are requested.
February 18 2010 - New Web Site
Welcom to our new web site.
January 25 2010 - The National Council of Canada started to send funds to Haiti.
More news from Haiti
Warm greetings to all of you. I was so emotional when I sent my first message that I was unable to give you thorough information. The entire National Council team is alive, but council members living in Port-au-Prince or neighbouring districts had their homes completely destroyed, or very severely cracked. Until now, we were unable obtain news from all our members from areas struck by the earthquake. All we know is that they are all in the street, deprived of everything. The dead are numerous, especially in Léogâne, a town in the western region.
The SSVP is carrying forth the following emergency plan:
- Immediately after the earthquake, we have visited some of our brothers and sisters in the metropolitan area, even though clutter and debris from buildings prevented us from visiting everyone.
- With our meagre means, two days after the quake, we have distributed a few gallons of water and some candies with our brothers and sisters living in temporary shelters.
- The help that has arrived in Haiti is not available to all, due to certain organizational and infrastructure problems. We have already approached institutions such as CARITAS, and CRS, but have not received anything to date. In all ways possible, we wish to continue supporting our brothers and sisters.
- As for financial help, banks and transfer institutions have started reopening. In difficult moments, if we have financial means, we can purchase some food supplies that can help our brothers and sisters survive.
In those difficult times, your help, but especially your prayers are very important for us in Haiti.
Duportal Annacius, National Treasurer
SOME NEWS FROM HAITI
We received the following message from Haiti on January 19.
A big thank you dear Canadian brother Vincentian for your email message. The earthquake hit us very hard. Many of our brothers and sisters are victims. Fortunately, the Superior Council of Haiti is there to continue to support our brother and sister Vincentians. For now, we are deprived of everything. We await your helping hands.
Duportal Annacius, National Treasurer
Furthermore, we have learned that the Regional Coordinator of ICG who lives in Port-au-Prince, E. M. Almeida, is unharmed. In other news, the convent of the Daughters of Charity in Port-au-Prince is destroyed and a nun has lost her life. We await more news.
$$$ FUNDS $$$ FOR HAITI
The International Emergency Relief Committee of the National Council appeals to all conferences and councils for financial aid in favor of the National Council of Haiti to help sustain their aid to victims of the January 12 earthquake.
All funds must be sent to your Regional Council who will forward them to the National Council.
Canadian Conferences twinned with Haiti who wish to augment their quarterly contributions may do so.
Efforts to contact our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti have been futile so far. We are waiting news.
The funds collected will be sent to the National Council of Haiti as soon as it will be possible to do so safely. The funds will be distributed fairly between the National Council and the 4 regional councils in the country.
We also ask for your prayers for the Vincentians in Haiti and the victims of the earthquake.
The SSVP National office has moved to the following address:
2463 Innes Road, Ottawa ON, K1B 3K3
Telephone: (613) 837-4363 - Toll free number: 1-866-997-7787
Fax: (613) 837-7375
NEW
You may now use Visa or MasterCard to make a donation to the National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.
You may also pay for your order, or pay your subscription to Vincenpaul-Canada with your credit card.
If you wish to use your credit card, please contact the administrative assistant in Ottawa, at (613) 837-4363 - toll free: 1-866-997-7787.
