Haiti Update

The United Way system worldwide and its corporate partners are working with Haitian community networks to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs.

United Way's role is to support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and communities devastated by the disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Worldwide has created the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund, introduced a text-to-give program, and is coordinating the integration of efforts from United Ways around the world, in cooperation with our corporate partners and other NGOs. Donations to the Fund will go toward long-term recovery and rebuilding in Haiti, as well as to meet the needs of Haitians affected by the disaster who have relocated to the U.S.A. and throughout the Caribbean. United Way Worldwide has worked with the U.S. government – the White House, Congress, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, USAID – to incent non-taxable donations to Haiti (to ensure policy makers understand the critical donation curve, and that time is of the essence), and to underscore the vital role of U.S. and international NGOs in Haiti's long-term recovery. 

Click here for examples and more information on United Way's role in the wake of disasters.

February 27 2010

Earthquake Hits Chile

Early this morning, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile nearly 200 miles south of its capital, Santiago, with aftershocks of 6.9 and 5.6 magnitudes each. The earthquake that devastated Haiti measured a magnitude 7.0. Chilean television is broadcasting footage of collapsed buildings and roads, and early reports indicate as many as 80 people have died.

The quake is said to be among the largest ever recorded and has spawned tsunami warnings for Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica, as well as other countries along the Pacific coast as far away as Hawaii, Australia and Japan.

United Way Worldwide is in contact with its network in Chile and is assessing the damage to determine its response.

February 24 2010

Update from South Florida

When United Way of Miami-Dade got news of the Haiti earthquake, it joined with The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald to activate Operation Helping Hands. Since then the team has worked tirelessly to provide relief and recovery in Haiti as well as the Haitian communities in South Florida affected by the disaster.

Repatriation in South Florida

At the beginning of February, 17,000 people had entered Florida through the Repatriation program. These U.S. citizens were evacuated from Haiti on special flights along with non-citizens accompanying those who were evacuated for medical reasons and who may or may not be a U.S. citizen.  There have been 195 medical evacuees to date; 23 remain hospitalized, the bulk of whom are being cared for at Jackson and Miami Children's Hospital. The Department of Children and Families is working with federal entitlement programs to assist the families.

Distributing Grants

Through Operation Helping Hands and corporate donations, financial support has been granted to the following organizations for immediate relief assistance, such as food, water, medical supplies, tents, blankets, personal care products:

• Food for the Poor
• PanAmerican Development Foundation
• University of Miami's Project Medishare for Haiti
• World Vision

United Way has worked with all of these organizations in the past on relief activities in Haiti.  Grants from United Way Miami-Dade County exceed $600,000 to date. In addition, the local United Way made a $25,000 grant from its contingency fund to Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center to assist Haitians living in Miami-Dade County without legal status apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Brokering Donations

Through its corporate contacts, United Way of Miami-Dade brokered numerous donated flights to Haiti to transport both medical personnel and goods on behalf of relief organizations. The staff's brokering efforts further resulted in donated goods at a county-run warehouse that are being channeled to Food for the Poor and Project Medishare for distribution in Haiti. United Way also brokered a relationship between the county and the Miami Heat to collect and process donated items at Heat games.

Coordinated Long-Term Planning

United Way of Miami-Dade, in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Beacon Council, coordinated a meeting among more than 40 organizations to discuss a long-term coordinated planning effort in response to the Haiti earthquake and, most significantly, its impacts on the local community.

They continue to monitor the situation locally and meet with local non-profits, local and state government officials, private-sector leaders and others to address opportunities to meet local needs that arise and facilitate collaboration and communication among all interested and affected parties. 

February 18 2010

United Way of NYC and Brooklyn Community Foundation launch fund to meet New York's Haitian community in earthquake's aftermath

United Way of New York City and the Brooklyn Community Foundation yesterday launched the NYC Haitian Community Hope and Healing Fund. The Fund is a long-term initiative that will help strengthen New York City community-based organizations so they can most effectively serve the anticipated increased number of people affected by the Haiti earthquake who need assistance.

"While attention to date has focused mostly on immediate and short-term needs in Haiti, NYC's Haitian community will face significant long-term challenges as a result of this tragedy," according to Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of the United Way of New York City. "They will include psychological and emotional impacts such as trauma and grief, as well as tangible consequences, such as loss of income, orphaned children and other issues that will put members of this vibrant community—of all ages—at risk."

Early assessments indicate that the need for culturally competent, sensitive and attuned neighborhood-based services will increase dramatically over the coming months and years. The Fund's administrators envision the NYC Haitian Community Hope and Healing Fund to be a catalyst to develop resources, which will include immigration assistance, grief and trauma counseling and English-language acquisition.

New York City is home to one of the largest Haitian populations outside Port au Prince—more than 140,000 people—most of whom reside in Brooklyn and Queens.

February 12 2010

Student Volunteers Make a Difference for Haiti

When news of the disaster in Haiti struck, Sherlley Sanon, President of the Haitian Student Organization at the University of Miami started to mobilize students and administrators on her campus. This fourth-year biology major and Haitian-American began meeting with university administrators to create a collaborative effort in which everyone who wanted to help Haiti could participate in some way. By organizing student bake sales and coordinating fundraising drives during basketball games, taking in-kind donations and showing up for volunteer opportunities, the student organization is making a difference.

So when United Way of Miami-Dade called the university looking for volunteers to help sort through their warehouse of goods donated for Haiti, no questions were asked. Sanon rallied a busload of her fellow students to help. "Two Saturdays in a row we went to United Way's warehouse and helped sort through the items. Then we helped box them up and get them ready to ship to Haiti," said Sanon. "For most of the students—even those not directly affected—it means a lot to help and to feel like they're doing something without being in Haiti." Nearly 90 percent of Sanon's family is in Haiti. Some were injured and her parents are still waiting for information about others.

"What happened in Haiti won't go away any time soon," said Sanon. "My efforts will never end."

Sanon is working with the university to organize a post-graduation alternative spring break opportunity in Haiti.

February 3 2010

Miami-Dade Volunteer, Michael Capponi, Tells His First-Hand Account in Haiti

I arrived in Haiti just one week after the earthquake struck. As a United Way Tocqueville member, I knew the good work United Way did in Miami, but I had no idea how far its reach extended. I also had no idea how quick and effective United Way was in matching people with needs to people with resources. It's an amazing asset of United Way.

Among the first grants United Way made was to a group called Project Medishare which has been working in Haiti for nearly 15 years providing medical care and community development assistance in the country. The grant from United Way went to pay for much needed medical supplies. United Way also helped Project Medishare team up with American Airlines to fly both supplies and medical teams to Haiti. 

I went down to Haiti wearing two hats—that of a United Way volunteer and a Project Medishare volunteer. The media has done a good job bringing this human tragedy to life, but nothing compares to seeing it first hand. We spent four days working in the devastated areas, handing out basic supplies like food and water, and helping people get the medical attention they needed.  We helped set up makeshift hospitals and loaded them with supplies. We helped to deliver medical supplies to medical teams working throughout the zone.

I will never forget the sights and sounds I witnessed over those four days. The magnitude of the pain, suffering and loss is overwhelming. It will take years for Haiti to rebuild. Yet, amidst all the heartbreak, there was an extraordinary sense of hope. It was if the whole country was trying to smile. Everyone who had the strength was doing their part. The human spirit works in amazing ways.

 - Michael Capponi,Volunteer, United Way of Miami-Dade 

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February 1 2010

United Way's David Shehigian traveled to Haiti on January 31 to provide a situational analysis and make recommendations for United Way 's long-term recovery plan in Haiti . Shehigian traveled by way of a Canadian cargo plane and was met by staff from Food for the Poor, with whom he is staying while in-country. Below is a brief account of his initial observations, composed on his blackberry.

Report from David Shehigian, on the ground in Haiti

As I write the city is still under darkness as there is no power, however I can hear a large group singing inspirational songs from a nearby church. This city is still alive this early morning. The Haitian spirit is still alive.

I arrived in Port-au-Prince after circling for more than an hour in Canadian C130 cargo plane awaiting clearance. I was sole civilian on flight and thanks to Canadian forces for accommodating.

PAP Airport has officially been condemned but is still in use and currently in hands of US Military (USM).  Evidence of major structural damage evidence e'where.  Standing water from broken pipes, fallen ceiling tiles, huge fissures in concrete walls, and disarray.

I was met at the airport by Food for the Poor (FFP) staff @ 1130hrs. We first visited main FFP warehouse which is intact, however the FFP chapel next door was exposed by a gaping hole where a large wall had fallen. We then visited the offices of local businessman Bernard Chauvet, our host for the day, before traveling west thru PAP to the towns of Leoganes and Gran Gwav.

The devastation I witnessed is almost immeasurable. Within an hour of arrival I had literally seen thousands upon thousands of affected structures, some tilting and compromised, some partially collapsed, some completely reduced to rubble. The scope of this disaster is staggering, and one can only observe as if in a dream from which there is no waking. Homes, businesses small and large, government offices, schools, churches, water towers, roads, telephone poles have been affected. Further it seems that almost every wall that had been built to secure homes and workplaces in this dangerous place has collapsed. Landslides on the nearby hills, some in places where there used to be villages, can be seen as white scars here and there on the otherwise lush green slopes.

With a pickup truck filled with kerosene stoves we made our way past cracked highways where tens of thousands had made tiny makeshift homes of broken metal, plastic and torn cloth (no match for even a moderate rainfall) in fields beside the road and literally right on the dirt median which is no more than 2 meters wide. We made our way through rubble-strewn town streets where people everywhere had set up tents outside their destroyed homes often right on the road or precariously next to structures about to fall, until we reached our first destination.  Travel here now takes much longer so our journey took twice the normal time.

In this very poor fishing village of Leoganes no aid of any sort has been rec'd. Half naked and malnourished children met us as the adults in the community sat and watched as we pulled up, as if in shock.  FFP had a livelihood project here, providing new boats and fishing equipment. They spoke of the lack of food and markets for their catch. They also witnessed the sea recede approx 25 meters from their coastal village. Strangely the water never returned to its normal levels. People there are afraid to fish and return to their homes. 

Next we visited Gran Gwav, the fishing village where a small tsunami had struck, likely due to a large nearby landslide that had fallen into the sea. FFP had built 6 new homes there for people. All but one of which were only slightly damaged, the other destroyed, but people were afraid to return. 

January 29 2010

United Way Metropolitan Chicago Welcomes Haitian Evacuees

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago is working with critical local partners to provide direct aid to the Haitian evacuees arriving tonight at O'Hare Airport on United Airlines. This coordinated effort is the result of United Way's funding and support to create a local COAD (Community Organization Active in Disaster) in order to mobilize and respond to emergency situations in the most timely, cohesive and effective manner.

Through a coordinated effort with the City of Chicago  and the State of Illinois ,  United Way 's partner, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights received more than 250 evacuees who arrived on January 20 and 21 thanks to United Airlines.

The program provides a welcoming environment for Haitians who are traveling through Chicago to relocate with family and friends in the US . Warm coats, blankets and clothing are provided for evacuees and assistance reconnecting with family members not living in Chicago .

According to United Way of Metropolitan Chicago staff, additional relief flights through United Airlines are expected January 29, 30 and 31.Click here to read United Way of Metropolitan Chicago's blog updates on the Haiti evacuees.

January 27 2010

United Way Welcomes Refugees, Plans for Long-term Recovery

United Way Miami-Dade is working with the following agencies to provide basic food, water, medical supplies and the deployment of volunteer physicians on the ground in Haiti :

• World Vision (basic food/water)
• PanAmerican Development Foundation (basic food/water)
• Food for the Poor (basic food/water)
• Project Medishare (medical supplies/deployment of volunteer physicians)
  

As Haitian refugees begin to arrive in Miami , the local United Way is requesting Creole- or French-speaking volunteers. Already, Creole-speaking volunteers are working on the helpline and counselors have been sent to companies with large numbers of Haitian employees and long-term planning for relocation is beginning.

United Way of Trinidad & Tobago is chartering a boat with relief supplies. They continue to collect additional supplies that will be channeled through Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico. They also continue to take donations and coordinate in-kind pledges for NGOs, and collect building materials and supplies necessary for long-term recovery and reconstruction.

United Way of Jamaica conducted a meeting on January 26 to identify partner agencies in Haiti to begin allocations from funds currently being raised through United Way Worldwide's Disaster Fund.

Fondo Unido de Guatemala is sending 600 water filters. The water filters ensure 100 percent removal of parasites and 99.99 percent removal of pathogenic bacteria while providing 10 gallons of safe drinking water within 24 hours.

United Way Broward County met with a coalition of more than 50 local organizations including government, during which a long-term disaster recovery committee was established to assist in rebuilding Haiti .

Boston has the third largest Haitian population in the United States. And United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley sent $20,000 for immediate relief to Haiti and has given $30,000 to support a local Haitian organization. 

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January 22 2010

Immediate Response in the Region

United Ways in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix are providing food, water, and other donated goods and building supplies in cooperation with corporate partners. First responders have been activated and physicians have traveled to Haiti.

There is an outpouring of support by United Ways around the world.  For example, the China Charity Federation (the United Way in China) has been appointed by the Chinese government to receive public donations for Haiti. In Israel, United Way is partnering with the country's leading social organizations to establish a field hospital in Port-au-Prince. United Way Brasil is working with corporate partners to collect financial donations, as well as organizing food and clothing drives. From Guatemala, United Way is providing food and drinking water.

Mobilization of Corporate Partners Globally

Together with our corporate partners around the world we are mobilizing and engaging their employees to contribute financial donations (with many companies matching each gift), as well as food, clothing and cleaning supplies. Corporations are also making financial contributions, and offering in-kind donations of medicines, logistics services, food, water and travel. These corporate partners include Aetna Inc., Citigroup Inc., Cummins Inc., Deloitte, Eaton Corporation, GE, IBM Corporation, Kellogg Company, Microsoft Corporation, Motorola, Nationwide Insurance, New York Life Insurance Company, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer Inc., PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Principal Financial Group, Qwest Communications International Inc., United Airlines and UPS.

Support in U.S. Communities with Large Haitian Populations

United Way has activated its 2-1-1 calling center, which provides critical, life-saving resources in communities throughout the U.S., particularly those with large Haitian populations, as well as a means to reach out and help people back home in Haiti. 

Repatriation, refugees and adoptees are being anticipated in many U.S. communities. Initially, United Way will work to provide for immediate needs, most notably emergency shelter, food and clothing, as well as other services such as emergency health care and family reunification. Longer-term support includes transitioning refugees from emergency shelters into appropriate housing and establishing a system of social services to help refugees settle in the community of their choice and achieve self-sufficiency.

This support is similar to what United Way provided in the U.S. following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Recovery and Long-Term Rebuilding

United Way's long-term response will be coordinated through our members in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Our members are working with Haitian community networks to help assess their needs. We expect that process to continue for some time, given the extent of the devastation. United Way will focus on education, income and health, helping reestablish the educational and health infrastructure of Haitian communities, and work to improve the income-earning potential of Haitian families.

United Way will draw upon its experience and long history of disaster support including the South Asian Tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2008 earthquake in China, and Typhoon Morakot in 2009.

We look forward to creating partnerships with governments, aid institutions, corporations, foundations and private citizens across the world to help rebuild Haiti. .

Financial Donations

Can be made at:

www.unitedway.org/haiti

Text-to-Give: In the U.S., $5 donations can be made by texting HAITI to 864833 ("United"). Standard text messaging rates apply.

Partnership Opportunities

For more information about partnership opportunities with United Way Worldwide to rebuild Haiti, please contact james.vanderklok@unitedway.org

To learn more about United Way Worldwide, visit: www.unitedway.org/worldwide

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January 16 2010

United Way Caribbean Members to Determine the Most Pressing Long-term Recovery Needs in Haiti

Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, United Way has rallied to support those in need. United Way Worldwide's members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders, partners and resources in response to this disaster, and will help to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs, such as access to health care, rebuilding schools and housing, and meeting critical basic needs for shelter, food and clothing.

Some examples of work already under way:

• Through cash donations being collected, Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico is purchasing basic needs that will go to Haiti. Fondos Unidos also is working with its corporate partners to get food and water into the affected area.
• United Way Jamaica set up a relief fund and made a $50,000 lead gift. United Way Brasil is working with local corporations to connect in-kind donors such as Procter & Gamble with Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico.
• United Way of Trinidad and Tobago is collecting goods that will be channeled through Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico.
• United Way of St. Thomas / St. John is organizing a benefit concert for long-term recovery.
• United Way of Miami-Dade raised and disbursed $500,000 in critically needed emergency supplies to people in Haiti through Operation Helping Hands, a partnership with The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Univision and Univision Radio.

After the first-responders have done their work, the long-term recovery efforts will begin, and United Way will still be there to help rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by the disaster in Haiti, as it was following the tsunami of 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2008 earthquake in China.

Click here for additional information on United Way Worldwide's work around disasters.