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Haiti Earthquake Response Work
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010, was the largest that the country had experienced in over 250 years. The quake resulted in an estimated 217,366 deaths, and left over 1.5 million people homeless and displaced. While adversely affecting the social and the economic stability of communities throughout the island nation, with its epicenter near the city of Léogâne (approximately 16 miles west of the capital Port-au-Prince), it has had a particularly devastating impact on the Departments (geographic divisions similar to counties) of the West, the South-West, and Nippes.
"Ansan-m ann di: Ayiti leve kanpe pou-w mache."
Together we say, Haiti rise up and move forward.
– The Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop of Haiti
In the aftermath of this disaster, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working closely with the Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop of Haiti, and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti to support and strengthen the response efforts of the diocese’s relief and development arm, known as CEDDISEC (Centre Diocésain de Développement Intégré et de Secours), which is coordinated by the Rev. Frantz Cole.
Relief and recovery activities supported by Episcopal Relief & Development and implemented by the Diocese of Haiti and CEDDISEC have been carried out in phases.
Phase I was characterized by rapid needs assessments and service provision. Food and non-food items were distributed throughout the Haitian parish network to assist families left homeless by the quake, as well as those hosting the displaced. Phase I’s “rescue and relief” programming assisted over 60,000 people with health care, food, water, shelter, sanitation, and other non-food items.
Phase II activities focus on increasing security and engaging local communities in recovery efforts. Phase II’s “relief to recovery” programming is assisting an additional 40,000 people by continuing and expanding health care services, creating short-term employment and building more stable housing and sanitation facilities.
Phase III activities focus on reinforcing household and community security, economic recovery, and livelihood development. Phase III’s “security, recovery and development” programming is assisting an additional 13,500 families by expanding Phase II home and sanitary facility construction and short-term employment programs, as well as beginning new micro-credit, agriculture and renewable energy initiatives.
Download the Haiti One Year Report (PDF)
Visit the InterAction Haiti Aid Map for an interactive look at where Episcopal Relief & Development's partners are active.
