Haiti, three years after the earthquake

January, 2013—Together with our local partners, our desire is to see Haiti transformed into a visible example of God’s redemptive power for a nation. Our relief and development efforts since the earthquake on January 12, 2010, have focused on bringing physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to communities by empowering the local church to become a powerful resource for help and refuge.

Much work has been accomplished, hope recovered and many lives restored since the earthquake destroyed much of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding communities. But there is still a long way to go if the country is to be truly transformed. Thank you for your generous gifts toward that end-please continue to faithfully support God’s work in Haiti through Samaritan’s Purse. By proclaiming the Gospel through our relief and development projects, over 9,100 people have made decisions to follow Christ.

Progress in gender-based violence

Dozens of Haitian church leaders recently gathered to discuss a serious issue that’s been boiling beneath the surface for far too long: gender-based violence.

Prior to the earthquake such transformational conferences weren’t happening in this nation where 70 per cent of females have been affected by physical, verbal, or sexual violence. Times are indeed changing.

So far, over 360 church leaders have been sensitized about this major problem, in addition to many youth and even gang members, as well as countless others who have tuned in to  radio talk shows on the topic.

Progress in medical care

Up to 200 Haitians are being treated daily at the Samaritan’s Purse-funded clinic in the Cité Soleil district of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Staffed by Haitian health professionals, it is the only free medical facility in the largest and most destitute slum in the Western Hemisphere. More than 109,300 patients have been treated through the clinic and its mobile medical services.

Since the earthquake, more than 142,100 patients have been treated through all of Samaritan’s Purse’s medical initiatives in Haiti, and among those, more than 1,100 volunteer medical professionals—including dozens of Canadians—have served.

Progress in maternal child health care

More than 7,400 mothers have been educated in nutritional, prenatal, and postnatal care for their infants since 2010. Nearly 1,000 community health workers have also been trained to provide care and advice to mothers and pregnant women in their communities.

This year, as many as 7,600 more pregnant women and new mothers, as well as 10,000 children are being included in this initiative.

Other progress

Other Samaritan’s Purse projects that have had tremendous impact on Haitians’ quality of life include efforts in clean water and sanitation, livelihood training, rubble removal, shelter and other construction projects, and food distribution.

At a glance:

• Nearly 70,000 people have been trained in hygiene education and cholera prevention, 18 wells have been drilled, and 193 permanent latrines constructed
• Over 1 million pounds of recyclables have been collected through Samaritan’s Purse recycling centers, providing employment opportunities and over $160,000 (USD) in revenue for some of the poorest communities
• One thousand people have been trained in income generating skills and over 6,000 households have received seeds and agricultural tools
• Over 29 kilometers of roads have been rebuilt using some of the more than 134,800 cubic meters of rubble that were removed
• More than 75,000 people have benefited from Samaritan’s Purse shelters, and more than 300 volunteers have helped build five community centers and two orphanages
• Nearly 13,000 metric tons of food have been distributed, some of which was provided for children at 29 schools.

Finally, Operation Christmas Child continues to open doors to the Gospel. Since 2009, more than 160,000 shoe box gifts have been delivered to children in Haiti, and in the last two years alone, more than 30,000 Haitian children have made decisions for Christ after participating in our discipleship program, The Greatest Journey.

The hardships women in the developing world face often leave them without hope. Through your generous gifts, Samaritan's Purse is working to restore the hope of women through programs aimed at increasing literacy, providing maternal health care, teaching livelihood skills, and stopping trafficking and prostitution.