Below is an email from a friend of a friend who works at a school in Ile de la Gonave, Haiti, an island to the northwest of the capital (map).
I was on the second floor of LKM’s round building when the earthquake passed. We were conducting an interview with Artis Fanm [link?], in the middle of asking questions when the entire building began shaking. The seven of us looked at each other briefly before shooting out the door and down the stairs. We were sure it was the school building that was falling down, and were unaware of any outside force. Once we reached the ground several of us fell to the floor, shaking, praying, scared. Moments later other people’s reports made it clear that it was not the school, but an earthquake. People were indeed afraid, but I was reassured that small tremors happen every once in a while in the area. After a few minutes it was clear that this was not one of these small tremors. A few houses in the area, those built with rocks as opposed to cinder blocks, had fallen in. Luckily there were almost no people injured. A small child was hit by some rocks, but it was not serious. I was with a mother who had not seen her children, and we set off down the road to find them. We were unsure of the destruction, everyone on the road was laughing mimicking the way they had almost fallen down, getting back to what they had been doing, playing dominoes, or giving a friend a haircut.
Upon arriving at the school we checked the internet and turned on the radio. These connections made it clear what was happening. The ground continued to give out small shakes, not regularly, but pretty often. People refused to enter into buildings, unsure of whether or not the worst was over. Upon receiving news however, the immediate reaction was to call people in Port-au-Prince, family and friends, to find out whatever news they could. The phones, however, had shaky service at best. Only one of the three major carriers was working. In Haiti, almost every andeyo, or in-the-country, has people or a large part of their family in the city. We received word from a few, very few, that they were alright, many calls went unanswered. Now, two days later, people are standing, grouped together in the place that gets the best telephone service, calling in vain, on cellphones that are not working, searching for people. This, it seems, is the biggest problem, a huge lack of communication.
As night began to fall everyone grouped together in the yard of the school, listening to the radio or getting the latest news from the people with computers in their hands. People were very afraid to enter their houses. The majority of people slept outside or did not sleep at all. The radio has been on nonstop, but has been little actual help to the people in Matenwa, in terms of getting specific news.
Now, it is still a question of getting information from Port-au-Prince, about family members. That is the most pressing thing in Matenwa, people are worried, scared, and helpless. As of yesterday, there has been a complete outage in telephone communication. The one carrier that was working no longer has signal. The night after the earthquake the streets were filled with people singing and praying together.
The biggest issue for Matenwa and Lagonave will be one of finding food and other resources. People here are already hungry. It is very difficult to find cooking oil and other necessities, as the merchants who travel back and forth from the mainland have stopped. All places removed from the city are sure to experience these difficulties, but Lagonave, an hour long ferry ride away will be especially bad. The already poor infastructure leading to the Islandwas shattered, and people are afraid to leave. The one person to arrive in the community from Port-au-Prince, met Enel, reported walking over dead bodies and walking most of the hour long, by car, trip to Carries, and finding only the sailboat running to Lagonave. The reality has not really set in. Looking across to the mainland, one would never know what had happened. As I write, there are still slight tremors. In the library of the school, as soon as they happen, everyone picks up and runs towards the door. On Lagonave we will wait and see. It is still early, but already the lack of food and supplies can be felt. The price of rice has already gone up 20% in the area. It will be very difficult here. The shortage of food, is sure to affect everyone here and with no connection to the mainland it is unclear when or how it will be resolved.
What about connection to the USA? Surely the U.S. can help you. I’ve been glued to the TV set and more and more commodies are coming in to Port au France. I sent a message and map of Haiti to CNN news asking about Ile de La Gonave and Leogane. I want to know how you people are. I want to know if other cities need help. The news only talks about Port au France.
I’ve been looking at a map of Haiti and wondering how many other cities were hurt by the quake. That’s how I found you. I’m heartbroken. The people of Haiti are brave and resilient. I’ve read and heard about the lack of education in that country, and that may be so. But they are not lacking in basic practional knowledge and common sense. Those people have been working diligently with their bare hands to save lives that are trapped in the rubble. They are risking their own lives, as we speak, to save others. If that isn’t intelligent, I don’t know what is.
Many blessings to you all and may God speed. Jesus is good.
Carol
Sir; I am part of a Key West group none as the Conch Republic Navy. We have vessels and can carry about 30 tons of food etc. We have been cery active in the past supplying relief material to those in need after Hurricanes, Mitch, Albert George & Wilma. We work closely with the USCG group Key West. Our vessels can get to the smaller coastal areas as we have shallow draft requirements. What do you need and where do you need it ??? Good Luck, Capt. Bill Deputy Fleet Commander CRN..
I am trying to help a Friend here in Ohio to contact his family on the Island. His, son Reginal Jean-Baptiste, Brothers, Michelet’, Samual. He also is missing his mother and all of his other family members.
I would like to get in touch with Capt.Bill Grosscup regarding food deliverary to LaGonavve a urgent need ! I have missonarys that just returned by the way of USembassy on demand and are very grieved about how the people will survive.
Please contact me to advise when and how.
jThank you ,
Suzette Abbott
We are in the process of filling a shipping container of food and supplies destined for the Wesleyan Hospital and mission in Anse-a-Galets, La Gonave. I know that another Christian organization is doing the same for their people. The objective is to supply the town with food so that looting/violence does not occur.
The situation is very bad according to our local sources. Refugees keep coming and the missions are nearly out of food and fuel. They are depleted of medical supplies. The large NGO’s are overwhelmed in PAP and it is unlikely that they or the military will help La Gonave.
Realistically, our supplies are 2 weeks away from helping those poor people. We pray they can hold on long enough for us to resupply them. Funding is difficult because we are a small church, so please pray that doors open.
Hello Philip,
I am a pilot living in the British Virgin Islands. We have been running relief medical supplies, doctors and food on behalf of Rotary into Cap Haitian, Haiti since Monday. We are heading back with another load tomorrow morning, and will likely be staying to assist for 2-3 days, transporting supplies over from the DR. I understand from your friend’s email as well as Suzette Abbott’s comments above that there is currently a great need for food there. We would be happy to deliver supplies to the island, to Anse a Galets, if there can be a group organized to receive the supplies. Sounds like mostly food is of urgent need. We can carry about 1,000 lbs. at a time, so please specify, prioritize your needs. Please let me know ASAP so we can coordinate this.
@ Mark or anyone else who can offer supplies-
Our mission in Anse-a-Galets will feed the community and hospital if we can get supplies there. If you can garner supplies I believe they can get people there to move material.
We have 40,000 pounds of food coming but it will not be there until early February.
I can facilitate and put you in direct contact with the base administrator. Please email me at eastinlet AT gmail DOT com.
God bless you for your help
Hello,
To all of those posting above: I just was searching online for the situation on this island and came across your blog. I wanted to let you know that there’s an organization in our town of Grand Rapids, MI, Rays of Hope for Haiti (www.raysofhopeforhaiti.com) that regularly ships to the country and their primary focus for earthquake relief is the island. Their first shipment is going out Tuesday and will continue to collect supplies to bring there. Please contact them if you have some direct contacts over there which may be useful in getting things into the right hands.
Hi,
I am part of a group of about 5 orthopedic surgeons and 5 anesthesia providers that are trying to get to you all on La Gonave to provide medical care there at the Weslean Hospital piggybacking on with the mission group. We are having a bit of a problem locking down a plane to transport us and our equiptment to you all. Are the ferries still an option to get to the island? and any help out there as far as plane transport?
Thanks!
Jo –
Our group is supplying food and fuel for the Wesleyan base and hospital on La Gonave.
We are leaving Palm Beach by ship to St. Marc, Haiti on Sunday, Estimated travel time of 2-3 days. Have 2 conex’s and fuel for Dan Irvine. The base will transport supplies and personnel to Anse-a-Galets by boat, we have coordinated with them.
If you would contact me I can help get you there. This may be far easier than getting a plane, but I can try too hook you up with MAF for air transport.
eastinlet@gmailDOT com
Chris
Hello,
We are organizing a secound fleet of sailing vessels to leave Miami in 4 weeks time. We are looking for NGO’s on the ground in the coastal areas of Haiti that we can drop off much needed suppiles. Does anyone have AID they want delivered to a specific group.
Please email me at info@transmarinepro.com
Helping Hands to Haiti for long term future developments.
I am visiting Ile de lagonave in May to look at a situation there.
Can anyone tell me what is happening there and what the needs are at this (beginning April) time?
Clothing? Food? Water? Medicine/medical care? Education? Building?
What kind of destruction happened with all the small tremors?
No baloney, please, already had that once on the mainland!!
Just left the Island yesterday morning after spending 7 days in Gran Sous, working with Roots of Development.We did spend a day in Anse-a-Galet having a tour of the hospital by one of the nurses. Everyone there is working very hard but not always getting a paid. The struggle continues for this island with extreme poverty and so much need. Where do I begin? If you have ever visited this island in the past you are already aware of the many,many needs. There was minimal damage from the earthquake. I would love for those of us here in the states to be aware of this tiny island seemingly forgotten by the Haitian government. You ask what is the need, probably everyting you mentioned, godspeed.
I have lived for more almost three years on La gonave. Long time ago. It seems to me that there is still no collaboration between locql governement, NGOs, Churches, and institutions. The main problem is that there is no overall approach to the (mainly economic) development of the island. Ther are a million projects, but no progress; there qre a million gifts, but no autonomy, no progress, no participation. How can people go hungry if the sea surrounding them is full of fish. There are beautifull beaches, but there is not one tourist. Serious investments are needed, but investments that help solve the population’s problems. Where is the government? How improve internal administrative control systems? There are billions going to Haiti, why not to La Gonave? Roads and boats are certainly needed, but also training centers in order to train local women and men—women in particular—accountants, administrators, teachers, boat makers, builders, leaders in general, people with imagination, with a vision for the whole island—with definite connections to the mainland, irrigation specialists, agronomists, credit providers, community leaders, etc. etc. There is a future. Maybe the Chinese should go there—not the Taiwanese but the ones from mainland China. The potential is present in Haiti. People are capable and motivated. I saw Gonavians in NY and Montréal working their ass of in restaurants and services; incredibly motivated in order to send one dollar extra at home to La Gonave, Ansagalè, Zétwa, Gransous, Lasous, Pwentlatanye, Lagayenn, twoulanfè, etc.. So,, I am sure, very soon, things will change on Lagonav. Non, nou pap lage!!!!