10.10.08

Weeks after the last hurricane, we have the feeling that the total recovery of Haiti is not for tomorrow. Please take a look.

Fr Duken

9.24.08

Dear Robin,
Attached please find some pictures from FFP Direct Relief in the Northern area of Haiti. Like I said, in addition to what we distribute through Caritas and other distribution centers, we make sure that those in greatest need are touched directly. As we receive stuff from our generous donors, we go out and assist them. Last week, we did Plaisance, Bassin, Ennery, Pilboro, Beudoret, Blue Hills, Prolone, Fort St Michel, Limonade. Next week, we will be doing Pilate, Ravine Trompette, Borgne etc…

Once again, thanks for FFP's quick and appropriate response to the disaster.
God bless you all.
Fr Duken

9.18.08

Hundreds gather in front of Food For The Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd., in Coconut Creek, for a moment of silence to remember hurricane victims in the Caribbean and to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ike in Texas. The date was chosen because it is the anniversary of Tropical Storm Jeanne’s arrival in Haiti in 2004. The organization, along with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, is collecting food and supplies for victims of this year’s storms.

Courtesy Maimi Hearald

9.11.08

With all the roads cut, the only access is by sea. This boat left yesterday at 3:00 pm and made it to Belle Anse at 9:30 pm. I also had a sailboat loaded that made the crossing.

9.10.08

The whole HAITI HAS BEEN HIT.

These photos are from Hinche.

9.8.08

Food For The Poor's fishing boats worked overtime rescuing the stranded near Gonaives, Haiti. The area was hit particularly hard with wide-spread flooding and wind damage.

9.6.08

The City of Miami, Dolphin Stadium, and the Miami Dolphins are working together to assist hurricane victims in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with a clothing and canned food drive.

The City of Miami is also partnering with Food for the Poor to distribute the donated non-perishable items. Many residents in Haiti are in dire need of food and emergency assistance. Although the winds have passed, the torrential rains and flooding have not ceased. According to the Haitian government, there are currently 758 victims and that number is steadily increasing. About 6,000 people are in shelters throughout the western and southeastern provinces. Approximately 250 houses are destroyed or damaged.

9.5.08

Reports are arriving from the Dominican Republic and Haiti regarding the extent of damage and destruction from the recent storms. Food For The Poor and its partners are working diligently to bring relief to those who have been affected by the storms.

Food For The Poor works with many organizations and churches in the countries where we serve. Below are a few examples of the work being done in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Statistics on what Hurricane Hanna did here in DR

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has lifted the Tropical Storm watch for the DR, explaining that tropical storm Hanna is no longer a threat. According to COE director Colonel Juan Manuel Mendez Garcia, Hanna isolated 51 communities, caused the evacuation of 10,745, damaged 2,149 homes and destroyed 4 bridges and damaged two main roads. The government has set aside RD$300 million to assist victims of Hanna. The Presidency's Social Plan will also distribute 884,000 pounds of food throughout the country. Hanna caused the most damage in Monte Cristi, Dajabon, Azua, San Pedro and San Jose de Ocoa.

COE officials have also called for the mandatory evacuation of families located near the Sabaneta Dam in San Juan de la Maguana. Monte Cristi Civil Defense regional director Maximo Ventura explained that 1,1090 families in that region have been evacuated.

Comments from Father Duken

“Many people have lost their houses, their crops and their animals. The storm will leave them with nothing. There are no words to describe it,” says Father Duken Augustin, who works with Food For The Poor in northern Haiti.

Father Duken has dedicated his life to serving the poor and works to help those in the worst conditions. It’s obvious that the disaster has shaken him.

“I don’t know what the people will do. There is an emptiness of life. People are walking around without knowing where they are going.”

9.4.08

Tropical storms and hurricanes continue to threaten the Caribbean and our own office in South Florida. The reports from Haiti, Jamaica and other countries are heartbreaking.

People are going without food and water for days. Roads and bridges in Haiti are flooded or have been washed away. Food For The Poor staff and our partners are working diligently to provide relief to those who have been affected and are suffering.

These storms are both dangerous and unpredictable. Food For The Poor is dedicated to helping the victims of these natural disasters. Your help and support during this time are urgently needed and greatly appreciated.

God bless you.

Road conditions in Haiti

Cap Haitian to Fort Liberte:

Road is good and passable.

Cap Haitian to Gonaives:

Cap Haitian to Ennery: Road is good and passable.
Ennery to Gonaives: road conditions are good but for the bridge after Ennery heading Gonaives is collapsed. No way to pass.

Port de Paix to Gonaives:

Port de Paix to Gros Morne: reported some flooding areas on the road and some rivers over flooded and not passable. Restricted to UN Staff movement.
Gros Morne to Gonaives: very bad conditions. Restricted to UN Staff movement.

Gonaives to PAP:

Gonaives to Saint Marc: South of Gonaives, in Savanne Desolee area, the route is flooded, after good and passable until Saint Marc.
Saint Marc to PAP: reported some flooding areas on the road. The bridge at Montrouis on the Route Nat # 1 has collapsed and is not passable.
Saint Marc to PAP via Mirebalais: Road is good and passable.

Cap Haitian to PAP via Hinche:

Cap Haitian to Hinche: reported some flooding areas on the road and some rivers over flooded and not passable. RN#3 close to the location of St Raphael UNPOL report that due to the heavy stream of the St Raphael River is not possible to cross the bridge since the water flooded the bridge.
Hinche to Mirebalais: reported as not passable due to high level of water over the bridge in the South of Hinche.
Mirebalais to Terre Rouge: Reported good and passable.
Terre Rouge to PAP: Reported good and passable.

PAP to Les Cayes via Miragoane:

PAP to Petit Goave: Road is good but for the bridge at Grand Goave which is at the verge of collapsing so, caution absolutely necessary when crossing.
Petit Goave to Miragoane: Road is good but for the bridge in Berquin at the entrance to Miragoane which is flooded. Here all Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers are forbidden to cross because of the high water level but heavy duty vehicles can cross if it is well guided because they are high enough. The Uruguayan military vehicles do cross to rescue some of the flooded population at the other end.
Miragoane to Les Cayes: the road is equally good but for the bridge at Duparc which is completely collapse. Here again, there a detour which is being used for the moment and vehicles of all category can pass through the newly created road. Here again caution is also needed especially when it rains, it might be difficult for heavy vehicles because it could be slippery. Here, caution is also needed especially when it rains.

PAP to Jacmel:

PAP to Carrefour Dufort: Road is good and passable.
Carrefour Dufort to Jacmel: Road is good and passable. Caution has to be taking about the possibility of landslides.
Jacmel to Cayes Jacmel/Marigot: road blocked at Cayes Jacmel due to a level of the water at the bridge. Route to Marigot, Belle Anse and Anse a Pitre remains closed at this time.