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gclergefoundation
Jul 19, 20225 min read

Earthquake Relief Update #5




Previous Updates

Fix Klinik Fonfred's damages


The August 14, 2021, earthquake damaged Klinik Fonfred’s infrastructure and also did not spare the homes of some of the employees.


The earthquake wreaked havoc on countless perimeter walls in Southern Haiti. Klinik Fonfred lost about 100 linear meters of its security wall. Cinder block walls can be very expensive to build or replace so we set out to build back a better security wall without breaking the bank. With the help of many volunteers and a local foreman, we rebuilt the destroyed wall for about $13,000. We are confident the work was done well and that rebuilt section of the perimeter wall should be able to sustain future earthquakes and/or hurricanes.


Klinik Fonfred's warehouse was also damaged by the earthquake. Until GCF rebuilds a warehouse in Fonfred, several container warehouses in Les Cayes have been made available to GCF, free of charge. That allowed us to assign a lower priority to building a new warehouse which targeted to cost $30,000.


In addition, Klinik Fonfred’s portable ECG machine was rendered unusable when it fell from a table during the earthquake. It was replaced with a new Fencia portable machine and assorted electrodes and paper for $607.88. GCF paid an additional $225.30 in shipping costs to send this and other clinic supplies to Port-au-Prince, plus $129.99 to arrive.


Lastly, to better adapt to the new post-earthquake requirements, and to fix issues that surfaced on the roof at the clinic after the earthquake, we needed to reposition the solar panels and secure them on new metal stands on the roof. This also required some rewiring as the existing wires became too short. The cost for fixing the leaking roof and the solar panels was $1,478.00


Thanks to the support of United Way Miami, we will complete all the required repairs. They donated $50,000 specifically to repair the damages at Klinik Fonfred.




Assistance for the staff at Klinik Fonfred


GCF Board and Klinik Fonfred Management are still assessing the best way to support KF staff and their attempt to rebuild their homes. Four 2-bedroom apartments are available for affected members of the staff and their family to use, if needed, free of charge for a full year.


Relief Mission to Anse Du Nord, Grande Cayimite, Pestel - Haiti


Thank You Christ church!


On behalf of those we serve, we express our deepest gratitude to our brothers and sisters at Christ Church. Thank you for your compassion and your support!


Thanks to the generosity of Christ Church, GCF’s earthquake team provided relief to the population of Anse-du-Nord, a small fishing town in Grande Anse, Haiti. Anse-du-Nord has a population of about 600, with women and children of child bearing age making up the majority of the population. The town was severely impacted by the earthquake. Their only school was destroyed. The team traveled to Pestel by car for 3 hours, then traveled for another hour by boat to get to Anse-du-Nord. GCF was the first and only organization that provided relief for that town. When the team got there, all the children, regardless of age, were attending school at the town’s church. When we visited Anse-du-Nord in March 2022, many homes were destroyed and at least 150 families still had no temporary shelter. With the funds donated by the congregation of Christ Church, GCF distributed 200 tents and lanterns to the community, which were purchased at $50 each


CLÈ Haitian Sisterhood (Hygiene Kits)



CLÉ: Haitian Sisterhood’s vision is to be a rich source of empowerment for the community in which Haitian women, regardless of income level or social status, are nurtured and empowered to reach their full potential. CLÉ is a non-profit, 501c3 organization, committed to promoting Haiti’s history, culture and traditions for Haitians living abroad globally.


CLÉ Sisters had a Sip and Paint Meetup in which they provided over 40 hygiene kits for young girls and women affected by the earthquake. Each string-bag contained hand-made cloth hygiene pads, panties, towels, soap bars, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. The girls and women receiving the kits were instructed on how to maximize the use of the hand-made hygiene pads. They were all grateful for the gesture and sent their thanks to the sisterhood.





Rehabilitate 2 community health clinics (on hold)


GCF prioritized working with MSPP to rehabilitate 2 community health clinics (dispensaires), so they could continue to provide services to their local communities. We estimated $50,000 for this initiative.


The public dispensaries of Melon (Maniche) and Ferme Leblanc were identified during the feasibility phase of this project. The project document for the renovation of the dispensary of Melon was presented to MSPP for approval as it obligaties MSPP to facilitate the presence of a doctor (resident) and a nurse 3 to 4 days a week, post-earthquake.


One of the main issues with the public dispensaries in rural Southern Haiti is the absence of qualified medical personnel. The facilities usually contain labs, pharmacies, a solar energy system, and running water. However, they do not have doctors and nurses to actually provide medical services to the rural population. The solution is to rehabilitate these dispensaries, and include dormitories to house the visiting staff.


Expected results of this project: Renovated dispensary with functional dormitory; Presence of doctor and nurses 3 to 4 days a week; Healthier rural population; Decongestion of reference hospitals.


Next Steps for Phases 2 & 3


As Phase 2 of our response continues into 2022, we will focus our efforts on the following:

  1. Fix Klinik Fonfred's damages and assist KF’s employees to restore their homes. We are estimating $50,000 for that project. We rebuilt the walls, fixed part of the roof, secured the solar pannels. Next we will be re-building Klinik Fonfred's warehouse.

  2. AKPA donated $21K for a clean water distribution systems for Ile Cayimite, including Anse-du-Nord. We will focus on executing that project in Grand-Anse.

  3. Prioritize working with MSPP to rehabilitate 2 community health clinics (dispensaires), so they could continue to provide services to their local communities. We estimated $50,000 for this initiative. This project is on hold until MSPP confirms the Physicians who will be stationed at the 2 community health clinics.

  4. For phase3, we raised $100,000 through HRA-One Diaspora for Phase3. We have been meeting with different partners to understand the optimal model to help rebuild 10 - 12 permanent para seismic homes. We are being deliberate about making the best use for the funds raised.

Challenges

  • Insecurity persists in PAP - transporting goods to Les Cayes remains a challenge. Though delayed, GCF has received all supplies that were shipped with a private shipping company.

  • Traveling by road to the south is still considered unsafe due to social and political unrest, and fuel shortage.

  • The cost of material construction has significantly increased, making it financially challenging to rebuild homes.

Money Update - Thank you to all of our supporters!

To date, we have raised $371K. So far, we spent about $200K for phase I and Phase II.. Current and future projects are projected to cost an additional $200K: $30K to finish all repairs at Klinik Fonfred; $20K for a potable water system at Île Cayimite, Grande-Anse; $50K for repairing 2 dispensaries; $100K to build 5-6 homes. At a minimum, we need to raise an additional $30K, anything over that will be applied to phase3. Hence we have set a new goal to $400K.


Please continue to support GCF and the communities we serve at: https://www.gaskov.org/join-donate


THANK YOU!




For a list of all our donors, please visit the GCF Earthquake Relief Fund


How can you help?

Please help us raise funds to help execute phase 3 of this relief effort and Klinik Fonfred. To help solicit donations on behalf of GCF, please share this link with all your friends and family https://www.gaskov.org/join-donate



Follow us and share our posts:

Instagram: @gaskovclergefoundation

Email us: info@gaskov.org

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With our deepest gratitude,

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gclergefoundation
Dec 31, 20215 min read

Earthquake Relief Update #4


Previous Updates

KUDOS to everyone who supported this cause! YOU helped care for over 7,000 victims; you helped send 155 children to school; you contributed to community and camp outreach activities; AND you provided decent temporary shelters to 8 families. None of what we do is possible without you. GCF remains humbled by your trust and support.


Phase 2 –Construction of temporary shelters

It is more than 4 months since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southern peninsula of Haiti. While some try to resume normal activities, many are still living in deplorable conditions. Shelter remains the #1 priority for the victims with no financial support from families in the diaspora. In all transparency, GCF feels powerless in the face of such great need. We try to maximize the impact of our resources but do acknowledge that it is nowhere near enough.


Over the past month, GCF built a total of 8 temporary shelters with materials provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and GCF’s ONECARETEAM.


GCF’s approach was to build temporary shelters that are simple, safe, and will last long enough to allow the beneficiaries ample time (6 months to 1 year) to secure permanent housing.


The small temporary shelters (12’x12’) are designed to replace the tents and tarps that have been used by families throughout Southern Haiti since the earthquake on August 14. The temporary shelters are well received by the beneficiaries as they provide better security and better protection against rain and cold weather. Many victims throughout the South are in need of, and indeed asking for, similar temporary shelter accommodations.


Selection criteria for shelter beneficiaries are as follows:

  • Must show proof of home destroyed by Earthquake

  • Must be a family of 4 or more, with at least 2 young children

  • Preference for older or female heads of household

  • Head of households must be unemployed

  • Must own space to build the shelter, or have authorization by owner

Beneficiaries


Shelter # 1: Widow, aged 62, in charge of 3 grandchildren, daughter is mentally unstable; Located in Sou Wòch, Gelée


Before (Home destroyed by earthquake) AFTER



Shelter # 2: Unemployed Husband, Wife and 3 children; Wife is sickly; Sou Wòch, Gelée

Before AFTER


Shelter # 3: Unemployed Husband, wife, and 2 children; Sou Wòch, Gelée


Before AFTER


Shelter #4: Family of 4 in Maniche; husband is unemployed driver without a vehicle


Before: (Family Home completely destroyed by Earthquake) AFTER


Shelter #5: Family of 3; Unemployed and sickly man with 2 small children, wife is deceased; Breffet, Cayes

Before (Home destroyed in Earthquake and “repaired”) AFTER



Shelter #6: Farming Family of 4 with 2 children, husband and wife are unemployed and over 50; Picot, Cayes

Before (Home destroyed by Earthquake) AFTER




Shelter #7: Family of 4 in Derrière Fort , Cayes – Older unemployed couple with younger children


Before (Home destroyed by Earthquake) AFTER




Shelter # 8: Ka Larco, Cayes - Before (Beneficiary used to rent a room in a home destroyed by Earthquake) - Single woman with 2 children.

AFTER

Estimated cost for 1 temporary shelter:

GCF ONECARE Team: The Unsung Heroes

We consider them our unsung heroes. The ones behind all of our earthquake relief operations. They are always ready and available to serve and do it with so much humility and dignity.


Our Fearless Leader

Anselme Joseph (Junior) is GCF's logistics Director and the thought leader behind all of our earthquake relief operations. He has been on the ground since August and has led all of the operations from the front. GCF would not have been able to accomplish much without his dedication, his love for country and his humble desire to serve his community. We are deeply grateful for Junior.



Our Board Members and tireless Volunteers




Our Board members Karl Joseph and Herzen Clergé made several trips to Haiti to help support the operations. Didier Cherestal and Jacques Charles Denis have been tirelessly supporting the earthquake relief, non-stop. Jacques Glaure made multiple trips to contribute and help the team. We are grateful for their dedication and selflessness.


Co-Captains:


Sophonie Pierre and Jude Toussaint have been leading the day-to-day operations. In the process, they built the high performing teams that are at the heart of everything GCF accomplished so far. We are so proud of them!


Team1

From top left: Domerçant Jude André, St. Simon Chalot, Borgard Egberte, Sylvain Francois Kensley, Jean R. Nestherline, Siméon Bertina, Auguste Eveline


Team 2

Milord Laurore, Hyppolite Obnesse, Bertin Appolon, Lebrun Cherlou, Orphée Ernst, St Juste Rood Shaina, Saint-Louis Gourgue Rose Martine, St Preux Maitelande, (not pictured Evens Désir )



Team 3



Desjardin Frantzou, Croissy Farah, Jeanty Mireille, François Darline, Hubert Jean Rénald, Voltaire jean Michel, Placide Michelet, (not pictured Février Louis Daniel, Christopher Joseph, Pierre Jean Michelet)


HANA-I Nurses:


Left to right : Lacouture Marie Roselie, Valcin Rose Fabiola, Bossuet Rose Darline


FHHH Medical Team


Desravines Stevenson, MD. , Bellange Naomie, Fleurimond Smath, Vigne Rose-Laure, D’Haiti Vilnes, MD.


Other key members of the Medical Team

From left to right, Group picture, NJ4Haiti team members in red shirts, Dr. Roby Marsan, GCF's Board Member and Klinik Fonfred's Medical Director; Dr. Fatima Joseph, Lead Physician at Klinik Fonfred, Ms. Regretta Noël, Klinik Fonfred's Nurse; Ms. Poteau Rose Carmelle, Nurse; Altenord Nixon, MD., Ms. Katiana Exa, Nurse, Evens Désir, Logistics.


Next Steps for Phase 2

As Phase 2 of our response continues into 2022, we will focus our efforts on the following:

  1. Fix Klinik Fonfred's damages and assist KF employees in restoring their homes. We are estimating $50,000 for that project.

  2. Prioritize working with MSPP to rehabilitate 2 community health clinics (dispensaires), so they could continue to provide services to their local communities. We estimated $50,000 for this initiative.

  3. Continue to assess how best to help the victims occupying Land Des Gabions move out of the soccer field. This is turning into a very complex initiative as other organizations have made promises to them that are way beyond GCF's means. We are looking for a creative solution for this problem that must be addressed.

  4. Assess the possibility of recording earthquake and hurricane preparedness educational messages to help spread the word on building better and preparing for inevitable earthquake.

Challenges

  • Land des Gabions remains a challenge. There are 300 families living on the soccer field in terrible conditions. Evacuating them will require additional funds and tight coordination with the local authorities.

  • Insecurity persists in PAP - making it challenging to transport materials to and from Les Cayes. This is turning into a paralyzing environment.

  • Traveling by road to the south is still considered unsafe due to social and political unrest, and fuel shortage.

  • The need is still overwhelming. In order to maximize the impact of our resources, our team on the ground continues to be disciplined and innovative.

  • We have not yet raised any funds for Phase3. We are re-evaluating our involvement in rebuilding homes for the victims. However, if we were to raise an additional $80,000 - $100,000, we would be able to help rebuild permanent para seismic homes for the 8 families that we've recently built temporary shelters for.

Money Update - Thank you to all of our supporters!

To date, we have raised $248,776, of which $ 114,000 have been spent on phases 1 & 2. We are less than $2,000 away from reaching our fund raising goal of $250,000 for phases one and two of our relief efforts. THANK YOU!





For a list of all our donors, please visit the GCF Earthquake Relief Fund


Expenses






How can you help?

Please help us raise $100,000 more to help build 8 homes for the families who are living in the temporary shelters we recently built. To help solicit donations on behalf of GCF, please share this link with all your friends and family www.gaskov.org/gofundgcf.


Follow us and share our posts:

Instagram: @gaskovclergefoundation

Email us: info@gaskov.org

###


With our deepest gratitude,

GCF - Team 2021 Earthquake


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gclergefoundation
Nov 2, 20214 min read

Earthquake Relief Update #3



This is the 3rd and final update for phase 1 of GCF’s relief efforts.

Two and a half months have now passed since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake stroke the southern peninsula of Haiti, and based on our team observations, the situation is still overwhelmingly dismal. GCF completed its 10th week of relief effort as we are stretching our resources to the max. As of October 30th, through the medical relief efforts, we've cared for 6,676 victims in 32 distinct locations. We distributed water, food and hygiene products to close to 1000 families. The need is still enormous! Trust that your financial and in-kind contributions have already touched thousands of lives. None of what we’ve accomplished so far would have been possible without your trust and support.


Medical Relief

We continued with our medical relief efforts and have been going to locations recommended by the Minister of Health and Population (MSPP). In GCF's response plan, we estimated that we would have cared for 2000 victims. As of October 30th, 2021, in collaboration with local Doctors and Nurses from Klinik Fonfred, FHHH and HANA-I, we have exceeded our expectation more than three fold and have cared for 6,676 victims. We’ve seen many cases of skin infections due to the worsened living conditions. We also noticed many cases of the chronic conditions that are rampant in Haiti: unmanaged Hypertension, Diabetes, Vaginitis and Gastritis. The demand for medical care has magnified and many of those we cared for, especially the children, are in need of psychological assistance. GCF is still exploring the possibility of integrating 1 to 2 Psychologists at Klinik Fonfred for the next few months to help provide a space for some victims to receive group counseling on site, and for a minimum period of 3 months. Thank you to our collaborating partners:

Klinik Fonfrèd was instrumental in providing logistics, transportation, medicine, staff, and overall management of all Team GCF mobile clinics.

MSPP (Ministry of Public Health and Population) provided guidance and overall management of medical relief efforts in the South.

HANA-I (Haitian American Nurses Association International) contributed experienced local nurses to Team GCF mobile clinics.

FHHH (Foundation for Hope Health in Haïti) contributed experienced local doctors and nurses to Team GCF mobile clinics.

NJ4H (New Jersey for Haïti ) contributed a mission team of local doctors and nurses, with medicine, to Team GCF mobile clinics.

Matthew 28 provided a mission team of local doctors and nurses, with medicine , to Team GCF mobile clinics.

Team GCF Mobile clinic was composed of 12 to 18 doctors and nurses from multiple collaborating organizations. The support team included:

  • 3 GCF Board members on the grounds

  • 30 local volunteers who took turns to support our mobile clinics, handle our storage logistics, as well as prepared and distributed the kits

  • 20 volunteers in the US who handled shipping, logistics, communication, social media and provided moral and spiritual support


Family Kit Distribution

We distributed food, water, and hygiene kits to about 1000 families. Our approach is simple:

  • Department de la Protection Civile Sud (DPC-Sud) shared with GCF the communities to be prioritized. We insisted on getting our priorities from DPC as they knew the communities that had not yet received any humanitarian relief.

  • Our team visited those communities to assess the need and identified the victimized families.

  • During that assessment, we delivered a 5-gallon water bottle for each family

  • In areas near Les Cayes, we also gave the head of each family a coupon to redeem their kit at a local distributor's store. For the more remote areas, our team personally delivered the food kits. We adopted this strategy, as much as possible, to protect our team and ensure the real victims received relief, as well as to avoid large crowd distributions.

We prepared about 500 additional kits. Each family received a kit consisting of rice, corn grown locally, beans, salmon, spaghetti, and oil to cook a meal for about 2 weeks. So far every community we've served, we were the first one there. The need was so great that we decided to increase the quantity of food and hygiene kits. Our last round of distribution took place last week as we‘re currently in the midst of transitioning into the second phase of our response whose focal point is rehabilitation.


Next Steps - Kick-off Phase 2

With the end of Phase 1, we are kicking off Phase 2 and focusing our effort on reconstruction of temporary shelters, fixing Klinik Fonfred's damages, and selecting homes for rehabilitation. We are also working with MSPP to rehabilitate 1-2 « dispensaires, » so they could continue to provide services to their local communities. We have estimated $200,000 for phase 2 of our response.


Challenges

  • In spite of the shipping bottlenecks and bureaucracy, donated supplies from Northside Hospital Atlanta Georgia, Boynton Beach and Broward County were received and delivered to our site in Les Cayes. Because of the inherent delay due to above mentioned reasons, we had to utilize Klinik Fonfrèd's reserve medical supplies and purchase medications in Les Cayes to keep the medical relief going.

  • Traveling to the south is still considered unsafe due to social and political unrest, and fuel shortage.

  • The need is overwhelming. In order to maximize the impact of our resources, our team on the ground continues to be disciplined and innovative.

Money Update - Thank you to all our supporters!

To date, we have raised more than $225,486, of which $ 81,656 have been spent to complete Phase 1. We are less than $25,000 away from reaching our fund raising goal of $250,000 for phases one and two of our relief. THANK YOU!




For a list of all our donors, please visit the GCF Earthquake Relief Fund


Expenses



How can you help?

Please help us meet our $250,000 fund raising goal for phases 1 and 2 of our response. We are only $24,514 away from our goal. Share this link with all your friends and family www.gaskov.org/gofundgcf


Follow us and share our posts:

Instagram: @gaskovclergefoundation

Email us: info@gaskov.org

###


With our deepest gratitude,

GCF - Team 2021 Earthquake


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