NHF Donates $15,000 for Haitian Earthquake Relief

$15,000 for Haitian Earthquake Relief

Usings funds from our Disaster Relief Fund, we were able to donate an initial $15,000 to Haitian earthquake relief. Three organizations doing on-the-ground work in Haiti have each received $5,000: Holy Angels Hospice, Partners in Health, and the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (Albert Schweitzer Hospital). We invite you to donate directly to these organizatons or make a contribution to NHF's Disaster Relief Fund.

Just like everybody who has been watching the heartbreaking images from Haiti, NHF’s board and staff have reacted with horror and sadness to the tragedy unfolding in that nation,” said J. Donald Schumacher, President & CEO. “We were so grateful that past donations to the NHF Disaster Relief Fund allowed us to respond quickly with cash to these three fine organizations. It feels good to know we are doing something tangible to help in the wake of such devastation.”

Holy Angels Hospice & Orphanage is located in Port-au-Prince. Although much of the capital city has been destroyed, their facility is still standing. Holy Angels is in dire need of financial resources to ramp up service provision. Prior to the earthquake, they focused exclusively on caring for children. With the enormous need created by the earthquake, Holy Angels plans to expand their services.

Partners in Health (PIH) is a Boston-based international health agency that has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years. PIH works to bring modern medical care to poor communities in nine countries around the world. The work of PIH has three goals: to care for patients, to alleviate the root causes of disease in their communities, and to share lessons learned around the world. Right now in Haiti, one of PIH’s main goals is to help with pain relief. PIH has deep roots and a major presence in Haiti, particularly in the Central Plateau region that sits northeast of Port-au-Prince.

The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) is located 42 miles outside of Port-au-Prince and escaped damage, although buildings even further away from the capital city were destroyed. According to the hospital director, the 120-bed hospital went over capacity within minutes following the earthquake and the staff of 200 immediately shifted into a mass casualty protocol. With so many of the injured arriving with broken or crushed bones, the x-ray machines and operating rooms are in constant use.

Knowing that the need for assistance is both immediate and long-term, NHF will monitor the situation in Haiti and make additional donations during the long period of rebuilding.