| Haitian Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Port-au-Prince |
| Language: | Haitian Creole & French |
| Ethnic groups: | 95.0% black, 5% multiracial and white |
| Demonym: | Haitian |
| Area: | 27,751 km2 |
| Population: | 9,035,536 (2009) |
| Currency: | Gourde (HTG) |
| Time zone: | PET (UTC-5) |
View the image gallery from the 2010 mission
Recently, Veneta Anand, one of the Directors of STIMMA travelled with Mission To Haiti Canada for an assessment trip. The purpose of the trip was to see, first hand, the devastation that struck Port au Prince, and to determine the needs of the Haitian community. The trip covered a large area – from Cabaret to the epicentre of the quake.
Structural damage could be seen everywhere; from crumbling buildings and broken roads to damaged foundations. Tent communities have erupted all over the city on any piece of land that is available. The physical danger that the people face is now of mudslides with the upcoming rain and cyclone season. Tents are made of cardboard, sheets and garbage bags tied together. Clean up is still in the very beginning stages and the landscape of Haiti is still undergoing massive change.
The other part of the damage is the health and emotional aspect of the community. Amputee victims are scattered in the tent cities. They have wheelchairs and crutches but still have limited mobility due to the proximity of the tents, uneven ground and congestion. They are often parked in one spot as they stare into the distance.
Diarrhea, dehydration, malaria and infection are common – and spreading rapidly to other displaced Haitians. Mentally, children have buried their parents, grandparents have lost their grandchildren and friends have lost contact. People are missing and many buildings are still recovering bodies.
There is still much help that is required to the community. STIMMA will continue to work with other agencies in facilitating aid to the Haitians. Please visit the photo gallery to see images of the plight of the Haitians.
If you would like to help, please donate or send us an email to learn about our upcoming relief efforts.