As Haiti mourns, World Vision seeks to address emotional needs of survivors

February 9, 2010

Nearly a month after the catastrophic quake, Haiti's survivors face more than just staggering physical needs such as food and shelter. More than 9 out of 10 people World Vision staff members spoke to had lost loved ones -- including friends, extended family, or close family -- and need to make time for grieving and establish normal routines in order to recover. Access to the basics of life and some sense of control is also an essential part of coping with loss.

World Vision spoke to 150 people across three sites in Port-au-Prince, where our teams are providing emergency supplies and services to children and families. More than 40 percent of people asked had lost an immediate family member, while 14 percent said multiple members of their immediate family had been killed by the quake.

Well-being of families critical to Haiti's future

"Haiti is a nation in mourning," said Sian Platt, World Vision child protection specialist. "People have not just lost homes, jobs, and everything they own; they are [also] somehow trying to come to terms with the death of those who loved and supported them.

"Everyone mourns in different ways," continued Platt. "But it cannot be underestimated how important the well-being of families is in the rebuilding of Haiti. Studies have found that children and adults heal faster if they are able to find routine and access the basics of life.

"Ordinary people need to be included and consulted in decisions made about the relief response, the recovery phase, and the rebuilding of this country," said Platt. "A voice and a sense of ownership is extremely important in the healing process, for people individually as well as the nation as a whole."

Helping children recover from trauma

As part of its relief effort, World Vision has established safe places for children across Port-au-Prince to provide them with a sense of normalcy and routine in such a chaotic environment.

"Children without parents or their traditional caregivers are at particular risk," said Platt. "They need protection and also opportunities to grieve. Everyone processes grief differently...play and forming new friendships are a powerful method of stabilizing their lives and giving them time to process their emotions.

"Tragically, some children do not yet know if their parents are alive or dead," added Platt. "In partnership with UNICEF, World Vision will be working across large parts of the country to trace and reunify children with their families."

World Vision urges aid agencies and the international community to focus on social reconstruction to help the healing process, working with families to restore community, family, and social structures as part of the effort to restore normalcy for quake survivors.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Please continue to pray for those left devastated by the disaster in Haiti, especially those who are grieving and suffering emotional trauma at the hands of tremendous loss. Pray for the efforts of World Vision and other relief organizations to bring not just physical assistance, but emotional comfort and healing for those who been hit hardest by this tragedy.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

World Vision to open Child-Friendly Spaces in Haiti

World Vision plans to open numerous children's centers across quake-devastated Haiti. The centers, called Child-Friendly Spaces, are designed to provide children with a safe and structured place to go during crises.

Our staff members have expressed concern that children -- especially those separated from their families -- are at risk for neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Particularly notable is the movement of children without families toward the border with the Dominican Republic.

Children most vulnerable

"When disasters hit, children are always the most vulnerable," said Nicole Behnam, a World Vision child protection specialist. "Their safety and security is of paramount concern, particularly for those who are separated from their families. The extreme poverty of Haiti already puts many children at risk of exploitation and abuse. Being separated from their families only increased their vulnerability."

At the centers, trained volunteers from the Dominican community will engage children in activities and games, as well as provide them with food, pediatric care, and child psychological support with the guidance of a child psychologist.

A supportive environment

World Vision also plans to establish recreational spaces, activities, and support to adults caring for their children.

World Vision frequently operates Child-Friendly Spaces in regions where children's lives have been disrupted by natural disaster, conflict, or exploitation. These spaces usually consist of large tents managed by World Vision staff and trained community volunteers where children can engage in activities -- such as playing, drawing, singing, and sharing their feelings -- that help them begin to return to a normal routine and heal from the emotional impacts of a catastrophic event.

"Right now, children's most urgent needs are basic necessities, primary healthcare, protection, and reunification with their families," said Behnam.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Three ways you can help

Please continue to pray for those left devastated by this disaster in Haiti, especially for vulnerable children who have been separated from their families. Pray also for those who are now homeless, injured, lack basic essentials, and have lost loved ones.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Support quake-affected children in Haiti for three months. For just $30 per month, you can help support children whose lives have been torn apart by this disaster, providing them with basic essentials and long-term assistance.

Saints win, but Colts are winners for children in need in Haiti

February 8, 2010

The New Orleans Saints emerged as the winners of the 2010 Super Bowl. But the Indianapolis Colts are equally victorious for quake-devastated children.

The losing team's apparel, printed in advance in anticipation of a win, will benefit the children and families left with few possessions after Haiti's catastrophic earthquake. World Vision, which annually receives all donated post-season apparel from the NFL and its partners, will this year send Super Bowl game-day clothing to Haiti, followed by larger quantities in the coming months.

'These goods will go to very good use'

Haitian children and families need basic essentials and the ongoing generosity of Americans through established relief organizations. But they also need some semblance of joy restored in their lives -- and the dignity that new clothing brings. In the coming months, product donations from the NFL and its partners will be distributed by World Vision when clothing can be appropriately integrated into our relief response.

"For years, World Vision has helped us to ensure that no NFL apparel goes to waste," said David Krichavsky, NFL director of community relations. "With the enormous needs in Haiti and World Vision's long-term presence there, we know that these goods will go to very good use."

Prior to championship games, Reebok produces shirts and caps and McArthur Towel & Sports produces Trophy Towels announcing each team as the winner. These items are kept on hand for the winning team's players to wear immediately following the game. Since 1992, World Vision has accepted thousands of unusable shirts and caps following football's biggest event.

Apparel worth millions, but priceless to those in need

Additionally, major sporting-goods retailers and manufacturers donate large quantities of official apparel that they have stocked in anticipation of either team winning the Super Bowl. On average, this equates to about 100 pallets annually -- or $2 million worth. Instead of being destroyed, the losing team's items are shipped from the host city to World Vision's international distribution center in Pittsburgh.

World Vision also receives counterfeit NFL team apparel through its work with U.S. Customs. The program began in 1991 at the Storehouse of World Vision through a donation of confiscated goods from Customs in Los Angeles. World Vision disburses confiscated goods and official licensed apparel only in pre-approved, developing nations.

Two ways you can help

Thank God for providing World Vision with this opportunity to distribute brand-new clothing to children in need in Haiti through donations from the NFL and its partners. Pray for the survivors of this devastating earthquake who are still struggling.

Donate now to help World Vision distribute corporately donated clothing to children in need in places like Haiti. Your gift will multiply 15 times in impact to help provide brand-new apparel to those who wouldn't otherwise have access to it.

World Vision food distributions continue in earnest for Haiti quake survivors

February 5, 2010

World Vision joined seven other aid agencies in the past week to begin a massive distribution of food provided by the World Food Program. The distribution effort, with support of the Haitian government, is expected to reach some 1.6 million people throughout Port-au-Prince.

Thanks to good planning and careful coordination, food distributions thus far have been conducted safely and smoothly, even in volatile areas. World Vision and other aid groups are conducting programs to meet basic needs beyond the life-saving focus of the initial disaster response. Still, there are pockets of Port-au-Prince not receiving aid.

During the two-week distribution period, World Vision, along with Save the Children, World Concern, CARE, and others, will distribute two-week supplies of rice at 16 distribution sites across Port-au-Prince.

Daily distributions

World Vision alone distributed 84 metric tons of rice to feed 17,000 people at sites in Delmas and Nazon on Feb. 1. Our teams added two more sites in the often-dangerous district of Cite Soleil on Feb. 3. World Vision's distributions will continue daily at all four sites, reaching approximately 400,000 people.

"Cite Soleil sites require additional preparation time due to the high density of population and additional security concerns," said Jean-Claude Mukadi, World Vision's relief response director in Port-au-Prince. "But we will get food to Cite Soleil as soon as we can ensure that people will be safe and that food will get to those who need it the most."

To ensure proper precautions are in place, World Vision provided registration coupons to local leaders who will help identify the families who are most vulnerable and in need of food.

Safety, security top priorities

In addition, our staff ensured that each distribution site was appropriate in its size and location to maintain safety after conducting security assessments. The United Nations' stabilization forces and U.S. Marines are providing security at the distribution sites.

Finally, to ensure that the distribution process protects the dignity of families, human rights organizations and World Vision's own child protection experts will help at distributions, while more than 100 staff members have been trained in humanitarian protection and security in the past few days.

"Staff will focus on ensuring families are treated with dignity and that the most vulnerable are first in line," said Mukadi. "We're also reaching out in new ways to make sure that people are informed and know what to expect."

World Vision is communicating through Creole-language radio messages, SMS text distributions, and directly through community leaders and mobilizers to promote child protection and practical information about the distribution process.

An estimated 480,000 people have left the city of Port-au-Prince since the quake struck on Jan. 12. Many are staying with families, but the support systems in these outlying communities are being stretched. World Vision's top humanitarian priorities at this point include food, emergency shelter, healthcare, and emotional needs of vulnerable children.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Please continue to pray for those left devastated by this disaster in Haiti, especially those who now lack basic necessities like food and shelter. Pray also for relief teams working tirelessly to bring assistance to those in greatest need.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

World Vision to open Child-Friendly Spaces in Haiti

World Vision plans to open numerous children's centers across quake-devastated Haiti. The centers, called Child-Friendly Spaces, are designed to provide children with a safe and structured place to go during crises.

Our staff members have expressed concern that children -- especially those separated from their families -- are at risk for neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Particularly notable is the movement of children without families toward the border with the Dominican Republic.

Children most vulnerable

"When disasters hit, children are always the most vulnerable," said Nicole Behnam, a World Vision child protection specialist. "Their safety and security is of paramount concern, particularly for those who are separated from their families. The extreme poverty of Haiti already puts many children at risk of exploitation and abuse. Being separated from their families only increased their vulnerability."

At the centers, trained volunteers from the Dominican community will engage children in activities and games, as well as provide them with food, pediatric care, and child psychological support with the guidance of a child psychologist.

A supportive environment

World Vision also plans to establish recreational spaces, activities, and support to adults caring for their children.

World Vision frequently operates Child-Friendly Spaces in regions where children's lives have been disrupted by natural disaster, conflict, or exploitation. These spaces usually consist of large tents managed by World Vision staff and trained community volunteers where children can engage in activities -- such as playing, drawing, singing, and sharing their feelings -- that help them begin to return to a normal routine and heal from the emotional impacts of a catastrophic event.

"Right now, children's most urgent needs are basic necessities, primary healthcare, protection, and reunification with their families," said Behnam.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Three ways you can help

Please continue to pray for those left devastated by this disaster in Haiti, especially for vulnerable children who have been separated from their families. Pray also for those who are now homeless, injured, lack basic essentials, and have lost loved ones.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Sponsor a Child-Friendly Space for three months. For just $20 per month, you can help support one of these safe and structured places, run by trained volunteers and World Vision staff, where children can go to start recovering from this crisis.

World Vision president visits Haiti as relief effort intensifies

Report by James Addis and World Vision U.S. media relations. Photos by Jon Warren.

Updated January 23, 2010

Immediately following his arrival in earthquake-devastated Port-au-Prince, Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S., took the opportunity to accompany trucks bringing World Vision medical supplies to struggling city hospitals.

Among the items delivered to La Paix and L'Espoir hospitals were dressings, antibiotics, tetanus shots, and materials for the treatment of broken bones.

'Could have been in a war zone'

Stearns said the hospitals presented a shocking sight.

"I really felt we could have been in a war zone," he said. "There were patients in the courtyards, in the hallways, and [in] the waiting rooms. Obviously hurting people with bloody bandages and makeshift slings and casts."

But he added that people he spoke to said that conditions were much improved from the previous week. "The dead have mostly been moved out now, and the ones remaining in the hospitals and clinics are the ones that are treatable in most cases," he said.

Observing the moment of tragedy

At L'Espoir hospital, Stearns joined a human chain moving supplies from a truck to the hospital store room.

But as the clock reached the hour when the quake had struck exactly one week earlier, hospital staff and volunteers from around the world ceased work, dropped to their knees, and began to pray, sing, and give thanks for the support the hospital had received.

Stearns said it was a powerful moment.

"I was just amazed at the faith of the people who were gathered there," he said. "In the midst of this, God could be glorified. In the midst of their pain, they sang 'Great is thy Faithfulness' and 'Amazing Grace' in French. It was a very touching moment."

Progress made

Stearns added while more help was needed, a promising start had been made in building the capacity of hospitals and clinics to cope with the massive influx of injured patients.

"They still need more medical personnel, medications, and equipment, but they are certainly in better shape than they were a few days ago," he said.

More work ahead

Meanwhile, World Vision workers on the ground in Haiti reported that distributions of relief items are moving forward in earnest, but that much work remains to be done.

"Everywhere you go, people are still hungry, still thirsty, still desperate to feed themselves and their families," said Jean-Claude Mukadi, relief response manager for World Vision in Haiti. "We don't want to turn away people who are trying to help their families, but in order to maintain a safe and secure environment for the families in each of these camps, we must be able to deliver the relief goods in a safe, timely way."

Aid groups conduct assessments and provide distribution cards to ensure that the right number of people is present at each distribution. However, it appears that news of distributions spreads by word of mouth, and aid workers often see at least double the number of people they're prepared to serve at each distribution.

"We need to distribute food and supplies to smaller groups to protect people's safety and dignity and to ensure order," said Mukadi. "But when we arrange to distribute to 500 people and 1,000 show up, it becomes more and more difficult to do that."

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Please continue to pray for the children, families, and communities left devastated by this disaster in Haiti. Pray especially for those who are now homeless, injured, lack basic essentials, and have lost loved ones. Pray also for God's protection and guidance upon those who are responding with emergency assistance.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Note for sponsors with a sponsored child living in Haiti or the Dominican Republic: We value your commitment to sponsoring a child in Haiti or its neighbor, the Dominican Republic. Our staff on the ground report that all sponsored children in World Vision sponsorship communities and surrounding areas are safe at this time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we learn more. Please know that if your sponsored child is directly affected, it is our policy to notify you as soon as possible.

Aid rushed to orphanage in Port-au-Prince

Report and photos by James Addis, World Vision U.S.

January 18, 2010

World Vision rushed immediate supplies of food, water, and children's multi-vitamins to an orphanage in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince after its directors appealed for assistance.

The orphanage had not had supplies of clean water for two days, was running out of food, had no electricity, and was overcrowded. It originally housed 65 orphaned children but took in 36 more from another orphanage damaged in the quake.

A heartbreaking scene

Dozens of forlorn orphaned children pressed up against World Vision staff members when they entered the orphanage gates. They lifted up their arms, begging to be picked up.

Inside, many children stared listlessly from cots. As darkness fell, others simply lay down and slept haphazardly on the floor or on large mats.

Caregiver Charitable Mifort said the orphanage had been buying bottled water and food from local markets, but skyrocketing prices was making it impossible for the orphanage to provide for all the children. When the water ran out, caregivers resorted to boiling water from a local river.

Infection quickly spread

World Vision nurse Delide Jean-Baptiste noted that most of the orphaned children were malnourished, possibly due in part to their bodies harboring parasites, and many were suffering from scabies. At least two were suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.

Delide said the overcrowded conditions made for unhygienic conditions at the orphanage. She noted many of the cots held more than one child -- making it easy for them to infect each other with disease.

After World Vision's team dropped off the relief supplies, they were hugged and kissed by tearful caregivers, who kept repeating their thanks.

Three ways you can help

Please continue to pray for the children, families, and communities left devastated by this disaster in Haiti. Pray especially for those who are now homeless, including children who have tragically lost their parents. Pray also for God's protection and guidance upon those who are responding with emergency assistance.

Donate now to World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Your gift will help our staff members continue to rush emergency assistance to those in greatest need following this massive disaster -- like food, clean water, blankets, tents, and more.

Sponsor a child in Haiti. Your love and support for a child in need will help provide him or her with the resources needed to survive and cope with disasters, like the recent catastrophic earthquake.

Note for sponsors with a sponsored child living in Haiti or the Dominican Republic: We value your commitment to sponsoring a child in Haiti or its neighbor, the Dominican Republic. Our staff on the ground report that all sponsored children in World Vision sponsorship communities and surrounding areas are safe at this time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we learn more. Please know that if your sponsored child is directly affected, it is our policy to notify you as soon as possible.

Sponsored child joins relief effort

Story by James Addis. Photos by Jon Warren.

January 27, 2010

Sponsored child Leonel Novas, 17, was thrilled to discover he can play a role in World Vision's relief efforts following the Haiti quake.

Leonel lives in the Dominican Republic, near the border with Haiti, and is the child of a Haitian mother and Dominican father. Immediately following the quake, thousands of injured people took rides on crowded public transport to Jimani -- a Dominican border town -- to seek treatment in hospitals there.

The hospitals opened their doors to the wounded. But doctors, who arrived from all over the world in response to the emergency, could seldom speak the Creole language of their patients and families.

A unique opportunity to serve

Leonel accepted an invitation to a join a team of three World Vision translators to meet the communications needs. He says when he arrived at the Good Samaritan Hospital, about 300 patients had turned up at a facility designed to accommodate 60. Those seeking treatment, often with horrific injuries, lay in the hallways and were later placed in large tents on the hospital grounds.

He says doctors and patients were trying to communicate by hand signals, which simply added to the chaos and confusion. "I am able to make sure the doctors get the right message from the patients," he says.

Leonel says that he is also able to reassure family members of the wounded by relaying to them doctors' assessments and treatment plans.

'I feel deeply touched by their pain'

At the same time, he finds the work emotionally challenging.

"I remember a little girl who had to have both her feet amputated. She cried and cried throughout the night," he says.

Leonel says he can identify with many of the suffering because he has also survived a natural disaster. In 2004, his home was destroyed when flooding swept through Jimani, killing several members of his family and dozens of his fellow sponsored children. He found temporary shelter in the home of a local pastor, and World Vision provided his family with food and clothing in the immediate aftermath.

"I feel deeply touched by their pain," he says of the quake survivors. "I feel I need to help, just as I was helped back in 2004."

A divine calling

He believes God also prepared him for his role. Having lived all his life in the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic, his Creole language skills had suffered. However, he had been practicing the language recently with a friend.

Leonel says that in addition to helping him during the flooding disaster of 2004, World Vision has been instrumental in helping him progress at school, providing access to computers and school supplies. He is now in the 11th grade and hopes to go on to study languages and computer science.

In addition to providing translators to Jimani hospitals, World Vision is providing doctors, nurses, food, water, and tents.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Thank God for instilling in Leonel the gift of language translation, and for preparing him emotionallly and intellectually for such a role. Pray that his contribution to the relief effort would continue to impact suffering quake survivors in a unique and positive way.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Caring for infants in the quake's aftermath

Story by James Addis. Photo by Jon Warren.

January 25, 2010

Of the many hardships Danielle Archile has suffered since the earthquake destroyed her home, the worst is that she lacks the means to take care of her 3-month-old son, Amadou.

Danielle and Amadou now sleep under the stars, along with Danielle's husband, Marco, and her other sons, Vladimir and Davalma. The upheavals have meant Danielle's supply of breast milk has been erratic and she has no baby supplies for Amadou -- not even spare diapers.

To make matters worse, Amadou's eyes are inflamed with conjunctivitis, a likely consequence of the clouds of dust thrown up by the quake.

Fortunately, Amadou was spotted by World Vision volunteer paramedic Victor Matamoros, from Costa Rica, during a World Vision food distribution. He took Amadou into a neighboring tent and treated his eyes with antibiotic cream. He also gave some extra cream to Danielle so she could continue the treatment.

In addition, Danielle's family received a 14-day ration of food consisting of lentils, cooking oil, corn-soy blend, and soy-fortified bulgur from World Vision.

Danielle says she is enormously relieved as the family has hardly any money left. "We would have had to spend what little we have on buying food," she says.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Pray for mothers like Danielle, and for children like Amadou, who are suffering from physical ailments in the wake of this disaster and who lack basic necessities like shelter. Pray also for the efforts of relief workers like Victor, whose presence is making a life-changing difference for this family and many others.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Feeding the hungry in quake-ravaged Haiti

Story by James Addis. Photos by Jon Warren.

January 25, 2010

Yulisa Filemond, 8, briefly hides under a blanket, her attempt to escape for a moment from the blazing sun. There has been little protection from the sun and rain since her home was completely flattened in the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years.

Along with more than 100 other families, Yulisa and her mother Barbe are camped on the grounds of a large home in the Petionville area of Port-au-Prince. In some ways, it is more pleasant than most campsites. There are a few trees for shade, and there are nicely manicured lawns to stretch out on. The wealthy homeowner has allowed families to camp there for a month or two, until more satisfactory accommodation can be found.

Multiple worries

Some of the homeless have tents, while others have plastic sheeting from which they have made crude shelters. However, Yulisa and Barbe have neither. They sleep directly under the stars, with a few blankets and a laundry basket full of pots and pans and other bits of pieces that Barbe has managed to salvage from her home.

But the lack of shelter is among the least of Barbe's concerns at the moment. More pressing is the fact that, since the earthquake, she has not been able to make contact with her husband, currently in New Jersey. But her chief worry right now is food.

'I do not know what we would have eaten'

Within five days, she had exhausted all the food she could extract from the shell of her home. Since then, Barbe and Yulisa have survived on bread and rice that they have bought from the market. However, she says her money is just about exhausted.

To her great relief, she and Yulisa were among those to receive a 14-day ration of lentils, cooking oil, corn-soy blend, and soy-fortified bulgur from World Vision.

"If this food had not come today, I do not know what we would have eaten," she says as other homeless families gather around to listen to her story.

Barbe is also thankful to be alive. Barbe's aunt and cousin, living in the house next to hers, were killed. Yulisa escaped her home with relatively light abrasions to her elbow. Barbe says she was briefly trapped in the house but did not suffer serious injury.

"The worst thing that happened to me was breathing in lots and lots of dust," she says.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Pray for quake survivors like Yulisa and Barbe, who have been left without a home and food to eat. Pray for the efforts of relief workers to bring critical assistance to families like theirs who are in desperate need.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.

Healing wounds

Story by James Addis. Photo by Jon Warren.

January 24, 2010

It takes quite a lot to make Victor Matamoros wince, but one look at Marie Catherine's injured foot caused him to screw up his face and take a sharp breath.

Victor is a paramedic and search-and-rescue specialist from Costa Rica, currently volunteering with World Vision's earthquake relief effort in Port-au-Prince. Victor met Marie, 16, during a World Vision food distribution. Beneficiaries received a 14-day ration of lentils, cooking oil, corn-soy blend, and soy-fortified bulgur wheat from World Vision.

Marie told Victor a wall of her home collapsed on her foot while she was fleeing from the earthquake. Victor says the deep gash in her foot had become seriously infected -- a consequence of it not being treated and not being washed regularly.

Victor set to work cleaning the wound and applying antibiotic cream. "If the foot had been left untreated, it would have had to be amputated," he says.

Victor left Marie with further supplies of antibiotic cream to continue treatment. He says he can hardly blame her for not being diligent about washing the wound.

"Her family has so little water. Most of it has to be used for drinking," he says.

Learn more

Join the conversation about Haiti. World Vision has a variety of social media outlets by which you can not only receive the latest updates on our relief response, but engage in dialogue with our staff members and other World Vision supporters.

Two ways you can help

Pray for those who have suffered serious injuries at the hands of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, like Marie. Pray also for God's blessing, guidance, and protection upon relief workers like Victor, whose presence is making a life-saving difference for countless survivors.

Donate now to support World Vision's Haiti earthquake relief efforts. World Vision has created a series of funds to which you can make a donation to support immediate and long-term needs of quake survivors in Haiti. Our teams were in Haiti for more than 30 years before the quake struck; with the help of our supporters, we'll be there for many more years to come.