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Haiti Earthquake
Relief Work Continues

Jewish Federations of North America in partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) continue to provide urgently needed aid and relief on a nonsectarian basis to earthquake victims.
 
100% of funds donated through this emergency effort will be spent on Haiti relief.
Background

On January 12, a massive earthquake battered the Caribbean nation of Haiti, devastating the capital of Port-au-Prince. Many thousands died, with thousands more injured. An estimated 3 million Haitians face hardship in the aftermath.

The Jews of Haiti

A Jewish presence in Haiti dates back to 1492; the interpreter on Christopher Columbus’ ship was Luis de Torres, a Converso.

Today, Haiti’s Jewish population is approximately 25, centered around Port-au-Prince, the earthquake epicenter. Haiti and Israel have full diplomatic relations.

About JDC Campaign Funds

JDC relies primarily on the generous support of American Jews who donate to the Jewish Federations of North America annual campaigns. They also receive support from World Jewish Relief, Canadian Jewry and the United States government. Additional funding comes from individual non-Jews, charitable foundations and philanthropists, other governments, and international organizations. JDC's Non-Sectarian Programs (such as aid for natural disasters) are funded by special donations. Federation annual campaign funds are not used for JDC Non-Sectarian activities. If you have any questions, please visit our website at www.jdc.org


Jewish Orgs Providing Disaster Relief
Dozens of Jewish groups and organizations are working to help:


Federations / JDC
Haiti Relief Update
Federations Partner with JDC
for Disaster Relief.

Within hours of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Jewish Federations began to collect funds for relief efforts. JDC immediately coordinated with partners to determine how to most effectively and quickly provide essential relief on the ground.

JDC’s first goal is to meet immediate needs. JDC is currently working in two main areas: providing medical supplies and equipment, and providing food.

Medical Supplies & Equipment
Death tolls of between 50,000 and 100,000 are reported, with many more badly injured. JDC is supporting the provision of medical equipment by three different ground agencies—one Israeli, one American, and one local:

1. JDC is working with the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Force (IDF) whose team set up a field hospital and caring for hundreds of wounded citizens. Haiti Emergency Relief funds purchased medical equipment, including infant incubators and orthopedic devices.

2. Heart to Heart International, a U.S. nongovernmental organization (NGO) is providing emergency medical assistance with equipment and supplies purchased by JDC. A team of doctors and nurses provided medical care in Leogane, an isolated community outside Port au Prince where little help has reached. Heart to Heart works in 60 countries and has partnered with JDC in the past.

3. Medical supplies and equipment were scarce in Haiti even before the disaster, but in light of the devastation, the impact of this shortage is the immediate loss of lives. Working with the Afya Foundation, a container of mattresses and much-needed medical supplies has been sent to a local NGO, Zanmi Lasante (Partners in Health), started in Haiti by Dr. Paul Farmer. Despite the considerable difficulty in getting supplies into Haiti, a second container funded by JDC is on its way this week.

Food
Ready-to-eat food and clean water are among the most pressing needs. JDC is supporting a soup kitchen operated by EcoWorks International, an NGO working with poor communities to break the cycle of poverty. EcoWorks already has a presence in Haiti with a strong network of grassroots organizations, and is experienced in emergency relief and reconstruction, having worked in countries destroyed by natural disasters (Armenia) and by war or genocide (Somalia, Rwanda).
       
Next Steps: JDC will reserve a large portion of funds for intermediate and long-term rebuilding and reconstruction programs. JDC’s experience during the 2004 Tsunami in South Asia showed the organization could have the greatest impact during recovery and development phases. JDC will develop initiatives with both international and local partners to provide victims with opportunities for sustainable improvements in the areas of health, education, and employment.

In the coming weeks JDC will:
•  Continue to monitor its relief efforts;
•  Explore more partnerships with local NGOs to provide emergency assistance;
•  Continue to coordinate activities with the White House, Department of State, USAID, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Israeli relief agencies, and the United Nations;
•  Coordinate efforts of the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief—an alliance of 45 U.S. and foreign Jewish agencies. This coalition provides a united Jewish response to and has formed a new coalition for Haiti relief.