US groups send aid to Haiti after deadly earthquake

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Denver, Colorado – Haiti is a state with a deep history of struggles, from its geography to its systemic failures. With the recent earthquake that left thousands dead, private American organizations are sending resources and people to help with relief efforts.

“There are still a lot of trauma in this country,” said Irene Ulrich, from Haiti locally. “I think it’s a pile of things on top of each other. They are not just dealing with an earthquake, but they are dealing with a dysfunctional government for a while and a president who was assassinated just a month ago. They are also dealing with COVID.”

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti killed more than 2,000 people, destroying homes, schools and churches, and leaving hospitals overwhelmed with thousands of injured.

“Petetro is five miles from the epicenter,” said Wayne Walnet of Haiti locally. “There is a lot of damage. There are needs of all kinds. The biggest needs now are shelter, food and water – basic needs. One of the reasons for the 2010 earthquake was a source of frustration for people in Haiti – many of the resources are pledges or organizations that have not proven effective in getting aid to Haitian people.

A 2015 investigation from ProPublica and National Public Radio found that the Red Cross exaggerated how it spent the $500 million it raised for the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The American Red Cross currently accepts donations and provides relief to Haiti, but said in a recent statement, “We are asking the American public to donate to a charity of their choice to help those in need — whether it’s a local organization or an international aid agency.”

Now, nonprofits are stepping up, sending in aid and donations themselves.

“Because of our longstanding relationships and real long-term contacts, we were able to pivot quickly to help in an emergency situation immediately,” Walnut said.

Wallen, during this time of his interview with EW Scripps, was on his way to Haiti to bring in supplies to begin rebuilding communities affected by the deadly earthquake.

In addition, we also sent a structural engineer. “There are a lot of people and organizations who will face these impossible decisions knowing that their homes and offices are damaged and they don’t have the resources to do anything at that moment,” Walnut said. “We started building temporary structures for people to sleep, eat and get out of the rain.”

“For all of this, you need to have community leaders that you trust and can help guide the process,” Ulrich said. “There is also a side of 100% of the money donated that goes into the hands of the Haitian people. What can be bought in Haiti must be bought in Haiti. What can be bought locally is bought there. The markets are still working, let’s buy food there and not ship it from Miami. So, It really makes sure that we are using the resources that are already locally there to help stimulate their economy to prevent them from getting more damage after the earthquake.”

Nonprofit groups such as Locally Haiti will start their work with shelters and will later work with local engineers to look at the structural systems in that community. They also want to ensure that donations and resources get into the right hands in Haiti.

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