top of page

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