HAITI UPDATE

March 8, 12:00 pm

ICCM Director Linda Adams has just returned from her second post-earthquake trip to Haiti.  She learned that children whose sponsor numbers begin with a 6 or 7 (schools away from Port-au-Prince) have been attending school since February 1. School directors report many "refugees" from Port-au-Prince are attending their schools for now.  Only the earthquake zone is still waiting for schools to open on April 5.

Progress:

- Hundreds of water filters have been assembled and put in use; 1,000 more are being sent this week.

- A shipping container with 270,000 fortified rice meals has arrived; distribution will begin this week.

- ICCM staff and teachers are receiving emergency aid.

- Kids clubs are providing activities, exercise and nutrition for children in many school yards. 

- A team of three structural engineers has assessed the damaged buildings and is making recommendations. 

- American/Haitian work teams have repaired three churches/schools, with more underway each week.

- Haitian workers are demolishing structures that need to be torn down.

- Hundreds of tents are being sent.

- Some soccer balls, volley balls and jump ropes have been given out.

- School directors have received January and February support and gifts from ICCM along with sponsors’ letters to children.

Click here to view a 3-minute video of ICCM Director Linda Adams sharing about needs and challenges for children in post-quake Haiti.

Note to sponsors of Haitian children: Only Haitian children with sponsor numbers beginning with "HA5..." are among children living within the quake-affected area. If we learn that a sponsored child has perished or was seriously injured in the earthquake, we will contact their sponsor directly.  Please continue to support your sponsored child unless you hear directly from us.

More updates and info at www.helphaitiheal.org, the Free Methodist World Missions Haiti response site.