Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de paul 
British Province

Haitian Earthquake: Serving the people in the aftermath

On the 12th January 2010 a 7.0 strength earthquake struck Haiti. Its epicentre was  16 miles west of the capital Port-au-Prince. By 24th January 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had also occurred. The International Red Cross estimates that around 3 million people have been affected while the Haitian Authorities confirm that the death toll has exceeded 150,000 people.

The Haitian Province of the Daughters of Charity
The first Sisters came to Port au Prince in January 1973 from Porto Rico. Currently, there are thirty one Sisters of ten nationalities – 14 of whom are Haitians - living in  five local DC community houses.  Four of these are situated in and around Port-au-Prince and the fifth is in Gonaives. The Sisters serve in schools, dispensaries, Social Centres and are engaged in Pastoral work.

In the aftermath of the earthquake
One of our Sisters - Sister Brigitte Pierre - died as a result of the earthquake and two other Haitian Sisters lost close members of their families. Moreover all the Sisters of the Province feel the sadness at the disappearance of so many people, the poor, friends, and benefactors, members of the Vincentian Family, Clergy, and Religious... The situation is heart-breaking.

The DC houses situated in Port-au-Prince have been severely damaged and our Sisters have become homeless having to sleep outside in tents. They are trying to give basic services (nursing care, nutrition and accompaniment) in the middle of the general chaos. As soon as the disaster struck our Sisters from Santo Domingo and from Porto Rico left for Port-au- Prince to be available for the wounded. They also sent provisions, medical supplies and other aid by trucks from Santo Domingo and by small planes from Miami.

Daughter of Charity Assistance Teams
In response to a call from the Company, several Provincials have offered Sisters who are nurses to go to Haiti as part of a DC Assistance Team. Each team will remain about three months and be replaced by others. The generosity of the Provinces has been extraordinary. On the 20^th January four Sisters (from the Provinces of Albany and Great Britain) arrived in Port-au-Prince, via Santo Domingo, to help the people. At the beginning of February, ten other Sisters (from the Provinces of Argentine, Bogota, Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Madrid St Vincent, Pamplona and Seville) will join this team.

Report from the DCs of the British Province
Sisters Rita Quinn and Joanna Danson along with Sisters Michelle and Martha are now in Port-au-Prince nursing the people. Here are their eye witness accounts:

"We went around many embassies and got help from the Spanish and French. I also found CRS who have helped us many times before and they will get medicines and water and food supplements. It is hard to know where to start but we are trying our best. The ground is moving every so often only for a second or two but it is violent and makes you dizzy for a while."

 “Life here is in chaos. We are in Cite Soleil (a section of Port au Prince) since yesterday.  We are consulting in a post natal and baby clinic, (as nurses). The earth is still moving here.  It’s awful.  We are living under the stars with the people-no electricity, water or medicine.  We hope to receive something today.  There are plenty of people dead.   Please continue your prayers for this country!”

"Things are more hopeful now.  Our Sisters from Santa Domingo (Provincial House) have been great – sent loads, also Mission d’Etrangers came, told by Paris to see what we need.  Saw Joanna and Martha briefly – both ok. 3 Cluny Sisters found alive after 9 days. Centre of city totally destroyed and smell overpowering. "

Looking to the future
The country is in a state of emergency and for now the Sisters are trying to respond to the most urgent needs. This is the task of the teams of Sisters who have volunteered.  Let us hope that after some time the previous services of our Sisters can re-open, especially the schools. Then the Sisters will need to discern how to respond to the new poverties arising as a consequence of the earthquake and how to accompany a population so dignified in their misfortune, whose faith has made such an impression on the rest of the world.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Haiti, pray for us! 

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF FUND- click here find out how to donate via the Sisters

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