Evince Ridorée, a Haitian citizen with a big heart, came to the Red Cross local committee in Pétion Ville in search of help on behalf of the thousands of displaced persons who sought shelter at the “Chez les Frères” seminary in the district of Canapé Vert.
The seminary opened its doors to welcome the residents of the neighbouring hills of Bourg Champagne, Pierre Sully and Morne Lazarre whose houses had literally crumbled in the earthquake. Brother Géniaud Lauture, Director of the seminary explained, “These people had nowhere to go so they came here. Our buildings suffered some damage too but we have a lot of open space so we welcomed them. They are safer here than on the streets. We are lucky to have electricity and water but they need food and medical care”.
In the shade of some pine trees a few metres away from the sea of improvised tents, Pluviose Louken, a Haitian Red Cross volunteer operates a dispensary from the tray of a van. Sporting an American Red Cross bib, a symbol of the close collaboration between the Haitian and American Red Cross societies, Louken attends to minor wounds of those injured in the earthquake.
Louken has been a volunteer with the Haitian Red Cross for three years now. He has had advanced training in First Aid, health care management and health in emergencies. A computer technician by profession, Louken volunteers his services with the Red Cross in his spare time. Since the earthquake, Louken has been volunteering full-time. “I had nowhere to go so I came here. My house is gone. My family is ok. I had some cousins who were injured but nothing major. Here I can help others who are not so lucky as me.”
Last year in August the Haitian Red Cross conducted a climate change awareness programme aimed at sensitizing communities about the effects of climate change on livelihoods. It was well received by the communities selected. “We did some basic first aid training as part of the climate change education. Now with this event, the same people are coming out to help but we need supplies to work with. We have nothing.”
Notwithstanding the generosity of Brother Lauture, the perseverence of Ridorée, the dedication of Louken and the enthusiasm of the new volunteers, the people of Haiti are in real need of assistance. While humanitarian relief is crucial, Haiti will need the help of the international community in the post-disaster recovery as Haitians seek to reconstruct their families and their country.
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| A sea of tents houses thousands of displaced families from the hills of Canapé Vert. |
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| Evince Ridorée (right) prepares a list of needs in the hope of receiving urgent medical supplies and relief items from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC). |
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| Pluviose Louken, Haitian Red Cross volunteer, ponders what to do with the limited resources available. |
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