Background
As you will be aware, a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti late on Tuesday afternoon (12th January). The epicentre of the earthquake was just to the south of the capital Port-au-Prince, and it caused devastation across the city and beyond, wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings.
As well as being a humanitarian tragedy, the impact will be all the more severe on Haiti given its position as the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world. At the moment, it is too early to say how long it will take for the country to get back on its feet.
Christian Aid’s work in Haiti and with Haitian migrants
Christian Aid has an office in Haiti, based in Port au Prince, from which it co-ordinates work across the country. Christian Aid also has an office in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and the two offices work together on a range of projects. When the CF Team were visiting the Dominican Republic only seven weeks ago, we spent a week with the two Christian Aid Country Managers; Prospery Raymond (Haiti) and Sophie Richmond (DR).
It is currently understood that amongst the many buildings destroyed in the earthquake, one of these was the Christian Aid offices. We understand from Christian Aid that three people were rescued from the rubble of the building. We have been told that, thankfully, Prospery was not injured. Prospery estimates that in the area of the city where Christian Aid had its office, 97% of the housing has collapsed. He is also concerned that there may not be enough food in the country to last longer than three to four days.
The focus of the visit which the CF Team undertook in November was to witness the work that is being done within the Dominican Republic to help Haitians and Dominico-Haitians who have migrated to the DR.
What the CF Team saw at first hand was how marginalised and disenfranchised the migrants are within society. The Dominican Government, actively and passively, makes it difficult for migrants to access basic services. Evidence of institutionalised racial discrimination within the country is wide-ranging. It must be remembered that although living standards and GDP within the Dominican Republic are much higher than within Haiti, the Dominican Republic is still a poor “developing” country; the second poorest in the Caribbean. The hostility between Dominicans and Haitians is fuelled by a belief within the DR that their economy and the wellbeing of Dominicans would be improved if it were not for the Haitian migrants.
Onè Respé
Onè Respé is one of the local organisations that is working within the DR (with funding from Christian Aid) to support Haitian and Dominico-Haitian migrants, providing advice, support, community leadership and education.
Onè Respé is based in Santiago, the second city of the Dominican Republic. Santiago is the closest large city to the Haitian border and therefore a natural focal point for economic migrants. Onè Respé also has a centre in the community of Haina which is a suburb of Santo Domingo.
The possible long term impacts of the earthquake
Clearly, with the events of 12th January still so very fresh, it is impossible to say with certainty what the long term impact of the earthquake will be upon Christian Aid’s work and the work of Onè Respé. Christian Aid is in a much better position than us to take a view on this.
Nevertheless, from the perspective we got on our recent visit, we can make a number of observations.
1. The earthquake can only worsen the severe poverty in Haiti and this is likely to encourage even more people to cross the border (legally or otherwise).
2. The impact of this can only increase the tensions between Dominicans and migrants within the DR.
3. Clearly, this will put greater pressure on all of the local partners that Christian Aid is supporting who are working with migrants.
4. The earthquake will focus world attention (for a while at least) on the plight of Haiti and, by extension, the issues faced in the Dominican Republic. We have no way of knowing what impact this will have at the moment.
What can we do?
1) Give
There can, in our view, be no doubt as to the importance of Christian Aid’s work in the Dominican Republic and Haiti at this difficult time. It is likely that a number of disaster emergency appeals will be launched over the next few days and indeed Christian Aid has already launched their appeal yesterday. Follow the link opposite.
The Congregational Federation on your behalf has given an immediate donation of £1,000 towards this appeal which you can add to.
Please also consider giving to support the CF partnership with Christian Aid and Onè Respé. There can never be a more important time for the CF to be supporting a partnership such as this. The CF have committed themselves to raising £30,000.
2) Pray
Please remember to pray for everybody affected by the earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday. We can give thanks to God for the safety of Christian Aid staff in Haiti and ask for them, and all those helping with the disaster effort, to have strength and courage to deal with their own personal and country-wide loss.
The following “Prayer for Haiti” comes from Christian Aid.
Loving God of creation,
at this time of devastation
we hold before you the people of Haiti.
When the damage is unimaginable,
and the suffering seems overwhelming,
remind us that every person affected
is loved, honoured and precious in your sight.
We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.
Work through us to bring healing
to broken and distorted lives,
peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear.
We ask this in the name of Jesus
in whom all life and grace is found
Amen
Philip Clarke on behalf of the CF Dominican Republic Team