Haitians Devastated by Recent Hurricanes

September 22nd, 2008

Hurricane Hanna wreaked devastation on a Haiti already buffeted by two previous hurricanes – Faye and Gustav. Many have lost all their possessions and food and potable water are scarce. What follows are excerpts from Oblates based in Haiti:

Hanna has caused more devastation in Haiti than Faye or Gustav. Many Oblate parishes and facilities experienced flooding and/or damage. Due to often poor communication, details remain skimpy – most Oblates are focusing on responding to the immediate needs of those around them.

From Charpentier, Fr. Adrien Difficile reported that the storm was truly catastrophic. Homes were washed away and people drowned in the raging currents. The river behind the church, St. Michel, overflowed onto the Oblate property just short of the Novitiate entrance making it difficult for the priests to venture out personally to check on the storm damage. Roofs were torn off and drinking water reserves gone. “This hurricane devastated almost everything in its path. Realizing that the people lost pretty much everything they owned is truly gut-wrenching. The Oblate parishes on the southern coast have been isolated from the rest of the country; hundreds of houses flooded and many important animals were lost. This was never before seen in Tiburon, Chardonnieres and Les Anglais. The waters rose higher than ever imagined and swept through the area with a fury.”

Immediately after the storm, Caritas and CRS quickly made attempts to assist those worst off with at least one daily meal and some drinking water since the entire system is destroyed. Some of the bridges are impassable and others totally destroyed.

In Port-au-Prince, flooding destroyed houses, roads, bridges and gardens. For days communications were cut off. Many have lost all they had, and are now without food and shelter. The big problem now is getting things cleaned up, and getting food and water for the people.

Fathers John St. Cyr and Albert Cator, who were working with the Sisters of Charity, ministering to the T.B. and H.I.V. patients in the city of Gonaïves were lucky to get out of their house as the water rose very quickly. They escaped with just the clothes on their backs. They reportedly lost everything – house, car, books, computers, clothes and food. They were stranded in Gonaïves at a Haitian priest’s house for several days, waiting for the water to subside. Eventually, they were able to travel to Port-au-Prince. The Sisters and their sick were saved by going up onto the cement roof.

All of the 25 Oblate parishes along the southern coast suffered floods and much damage to the houses closest to the ocean. The gardens have been destroyed by rain and wind. These were the hope for food, as well as money to send the children to school.

“Each day people come and ask for help, food, shelter and aid to put their children to school. Tell me, how much can one possibly do in such a gigantic situation? There is so much need!”

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