Provide disaster relief in Haiti

Donations are urgently needed in Haiti after devastating earthquake to assist with the rescue and disaster relief efforts. Plans to re-establish our educational programs and other humanitarian programs are already underway. Salesian Missions is working hard to continue to provide for the children and families that already depended on them, in addition to so many others now in desperate need(Updated Jan. 26, 2010 – for more information, please visit the press room)

Salesian Missions has been working in Haiti since 1936 and provided food to 25,000 children in Port-au-Prince before the earthquake in addition to the schools it operated for hundreds of children. The search for survivors has ended, but Salesian Missions is desperately working to and care for those who are homeless and suffering, with special attention to the 20,000 children in the area it already served.

A vast Salesian Missions compound in the Cite Soleil (which consisted of schools, trade shops, housing, orphanages, youth centers, feeding programs and administrative offices) was almost completely destroyed. 200 students and staff were killed in the rubble. Buildings destroyed include those at ENAM, the renowned National School of Arts & Trades, where a vast majority of the deaths took place. Kitchens that fed 25,000 of the city’s poorest children daily have been affected.

Even with the enormous losses and beyond-challenging circumstances, Salesian Missions is working hard to continue to provide for the children and families that already depended on them, in addition to so many others now in desperate need.

As of Jan. 25, over 3,000 refugees are being housed by Salesian Missions in the limited number of our facilities which remain standing. Many people, including the children Salesian Missions cares for, are sleeping outside in the streets and in cars.

An 11-truck convoy of supplies arrived Jan. 16 at the Salesian Missions compound and was distributed peacefully (photos available). Salesian Missions delivered 20,000 meals on Jan. 21 and 300,000 water purification tablets on Jan. 24.

Another convoy carrying food and supplies is scheduled to arrive Jan. 26 in Carrefour-Thorland and Pétion-Ville.

A relief fund has been created for Haiti and donations are being sent directly to purchase food, water, medical supplies, survival kits and tents for shelter.

Donations are urgently sought for more supplies. Additionally, Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, traveled to Haiti Jan. 20, along with a photographer/videographer familiar with Salesian Missions works in Haiti.

Salesian Missions is not only dedicated to the relief efforts, but will be instrumental in the rebuilding. Donations can be made by going to www.FindYourMission.org. Plans to re-establish our educational programs and other humanitarian programs are already underway.