Haiti Earthquake January 2010

At 4.53pm on Tuesday 12 January, a major earthquake hit Haiti, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. It struck just 10 miles south-west of the bustling capital Port-au-Prince. This is the strongest earthquake that Haiti has experienced in more than 200 years. 12 January: Haiti

The earthquake was so strong that many buildings including the National Palace and the cathedral have collapsed. Thousands of people have died, including the Archbishop, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot. Destruction

“This is the worst disaster Haiti has experienced. Many people have been killed in Port-au- Prince. Their bodies are everywhere on the streets of the capital. People are still under the debris.” Scale of disaster “The hospitals are overwhelmed with the dead and injured. The risk of disease is great. The streets and public places are filled with people who do not know where to go.” Joseph Jonidès Villarson Head of Emergencies, Caritas Haiti

"Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Its people are used to civil strife, hurricanes and floods, but earthquakes are not a normal occurrence. With the majority of the population living in abject poverty, this earthquake will greatly increase their suffering." Clare Dixon, Head of Latin America and Caribbean, CAFOD Poverty worsens impact

Poverty in Haiti Haiti threw off French colonial control and slavery in Yet there is still a huge wealth gap between the Creole-speaking black majority and the French- speaking minority, one per cent of whom own nearly half the country's wealth. Decades of violence, instability and dictatorship have left Haiti impoverished. This poverty makes the impact of the earthquake even greater. Survivors urgently need clean water, food, basic shelter and medicines. Three million people live in the affected region, so substantial humanitarian assistance will be needed.

We have worked in Haiti since 1970 supporting projects that focus on literacy, agriculture, legal aid and empowering women. We have a lot of experience in supporting emergency response programmes through our partners in Haiti, including the relief efforts following two hurricanes in CAFOD and Haiti CAFOD poster from 1996

Our local partner is Caritas Haiti. Their emergency response team is working round the clock to support people in urgent need. Caritas agencies from all over the world are helping; Caritas Brazil, Peru and Venezuela have much experience of natural disasters in the region, as well as from France, Switzerland and the USA. How is CAFOD involved?

We have pledged hundreds of thousands of pounds to our partners in Haiti, who will find out what is needed to help the most vulnerable people. The money pledged will help our partners supply water, food, medicines and shelter to people in the worst affected areas and will support the people of Haiti to rebuild their lives in the longer term. Our partners’ work

Catholic schools, parishes and individuals across England and Wales have responded quickly and generously, raising over £500,000 for CAFOD’s work in the first week. Find out how to give to CAFOD>> We are also participating in the Disasters Emergencies Committee appeal Find out how to give to the DEC>> Haiti appeal

As he helped survivors, Dr Louis-Gerard Gilles, a former senator, said, "Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together." Let us pray

For the people of Haiti Lord our God, give comfort and healing to all people affected by natural disasters. We remember especially the people of Haiti. We mourn those who have died. May they rest in peace. We pray for those left behind as they rebuild their lives. May they experience your loving care in every person who helps them. We pray for CAFOD’s partners and for all who are working to save lives and to support the survivors. Thank you for your many blessings. Make us generous to share them with our sisters and brothers. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen

Photos: Caritas REUTERS/Reuters TV, courtesy REUTERS/Joel Trimble, courtesy