Responding to the Quake From the Ground Up

© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0068/LeMoyne

Since the earthquake of January 12, 2010, the Aristide Foundation for Democracy has mobilized its staff, doctors, volunteers on the ground, and supporters inside and outside Haiti to respond to this disaster.  We are:

Housing Refugees

At least 4000 people are now sheltering in the dormitories on the campus of the Medical School of the Aristide Foundation–in the first two weeks after the quake getting food and water to them was a daily challenge.  Tents, or other shelter, and sanitation are currently the most pressing needs.

Mobile Clinic at Parc Jean-Marie Vincent

Fielding Mobile Clinics

Since the quake a group of 54 Cuban and Haitian doctors attached to the Foundation have been providing emergency medical care to the injured.   AFD is collaborating with Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante in fielding mobile clinics to refugee camps.  A total of 30 AFD doctors and 60 young AFD volunteers are participating in regular  medical clinics out into some of the largest refugee camps, including at the Parc Jean Marie Vincent where approximately 15,000 people are camped out.  Beginning in early March we also began weekly large scale clinics inside the auditorium of the AFD.

Organizing Mobile Schools
An estimated 90% of the schools in Port-au-Prince were destroyed in the earthquake. Tens of thousands of children are living in refugee camps and will be at least for the next several months. To offer organized activities, contact with caring adults, and some continuation of basic schooling, AFD launching a Mobile Schools project. We’ve recruited 102 high school and college graduates to serve as teachers, and coordinated with families and organizing committees in four refugee camps to build shelters where classes can be held.

Inauguration of the first AFD Mobile School Site - Feb. 22, 2010

Classes for over 1500 children —three hours a day, five days a week—began the week of February 22.

Open-air classrooms are now up and running three hours a day, five days a week at four locations: Building 2004/Parc Jean-Marie Vincent, Carradeux (the encampment near the student dormitories of the Medical School of the AFD), Fontamara 27, and Nazon.

Read more about the Mobile Schools project.

As funds become available we hope to expand this project to other sites.

This project is being funded by the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund and we are very grateful for their solidarity and support.

Serving as a Bridge to the Larger Relief Effort
Finally, we are working to serve where possible as a bridge between the larger relief effort and the popular movement in Haiti.  We are working with Partners in Health, CARE, and the Turkish Red Crescent, among others, trying to channel aid to the vast network of organizations, neighborhood groups and people who make up the popular movement in Haiti, to whom we remain closely bonded, and for whom the continued presence of the Aristide Foundation is a symbol of hope.

© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0109/LeMoyne

To support these projects you can donate online here:

Or mail checks to The Aristide Foundation, PO Box 490271, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149

All donations are tax deductible and will be acknowledged.