Hopegivers News

Posted February 3, 2010

Haiti Earthquake: Refugees Flooding From One Disaster Area to Another.

The city of Gonaives, Haiti, located just 60 miles north of Port Au Prince was spared from the ravages of the recent earthquakes that devastated the area in and around the capital. However, in the aftermath of the destruction, Gonaives - home to 300,000 - has received a flood of refugees fleeing from the destruction and despair caused by the earthquake. Most of the refugees coming into the city have no money, resources, no place to stay, and no plan. They arrive as a people in great need whose sole purpose was to leave what they saw as a hopeless tomb.

Flooding after recent hurricane  in Gonaives 

The problem: the refugees fleeing the earthquake disaster area have walked right into another disaster area. Gonaives is a city that has been devastated in recent years by hurricanes. In 2004, Hurricane Jeanne flooded the entire city and claimed the lives of 3,000 people. In 2008, with the damage from Jeanne still not repaired, Gonaives was hit by Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, and Hannah. The city was not only flooded but completely cut off from the rest of Haiti by a lake that was created due to the flooding. In addition to flooding, severe mudslides - mainly a result of the deforestation on the surrounding hillsides - continue to plague Gonaives, swallowing up homes, streets, buildings, and their inhabitants.

Still reeling from their own devastation, the city is now becoming a refuge for the victims of January's earthquake. With barely enough resources to get by on its own, Gonaives now has thousands upon thousands of refugees that are in need.

Hopegivers International is working through our partner churches in Gonaives to provide basic food and supplies to the refugees in Gonaives - particularly for the children. Rice, beans, and other staples are being distributed by the local church in Gonaives in an effort to save the lives of many who have been victimized in this disaster.

If you would like to help provide food and basic necessities to the refugees of the January earthquake, you can make a donation below.

Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund

Your donation to the special Relief Fund will provide food, water, and medical assistance to those affected by the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Suggested donation amount: $50
$

Top of Page