Earthquake in Haiti - 35 Seconds of Devastation
On January 12, 2010, a massive 7.0 earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, devasting the captial city of Port Au Prince and causing profound damage 
to surrounding villages and towns. It is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 men, women, and children died in the earthquake and its immediate aftermath.
Jersey City residents were quick to respond to the tragedy. In the immediate aftermath, they donated thousands of dollars to relief efforts.
In addition, local businesses and citizens began to collect much needed canned goods, bottled water and medical and first aid supplies.
"It took 35 seconds to devastate Haiti," said Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy. "It will take years to rebuild it. I hope all residents will continue to support Jersey City's Haitian community, which is such a vibrant part of our city, by continuing to donate what they can to the relief efforts and charitable organizations listed below."
What you can do:
Continue to Make Donations for Haiti Relief
- The American Red Cross is asking for donations of money. Please contribute $10.00 to Haitian Relief by texting "HAITI" to 90999.Volunteers are also in short supply to help answer phones at local branches of the Red Cross or to help organize community blood drives. Currently, donations of food or supplies are not being accepted, according to a spokeswoman from the Regional Northern New Jersey Branch of the Red Cross in Fairfield, N.J. The Red Cross also accepts credit or debit cards from those making online or telephone donations. Those writing checks to the Red Cross should make sure to write “Haiti” on the memo line, so the money goes specifically to the Haiti Relief efforts. Local Red Cross branches will even accept drop off donations of cash and money orders.
- Aid For Aids International has sent out an emergency call for donations of AIDS/HIV medications intended specifically for the Haitian Relief efforts. Drop-off points in New York and around the country are listed on their website. Read more.
- Center for International Disaster Information encourages those wishing to help with the relief efforts in Haiti to make a cash donation. They provide a comprehensive list of InterAction member agencies which are accepting donations to aid with emergency relief in Haiti.
- Doctors With Out Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) is an international medical humanitarian organization which works worldwide to help those whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect or catastrophe.
- Mercy Corps is a team of 3700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, they are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, they are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people they serve. Mercy Corps is focusing on the immediate humanitarian needs on the ground — water, food, temporary shelter supplies and much more. As the most basic needs are met, Mercy Corps’ response team will transition from relief to long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts. Mercy Corp accepts donations through PayPal, Google Checkout or Amazon Payments.
- ClintonBushHaitiFund.org.Please contribute online or text “QUAKE” to 20222 to charge a $10 donation to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (the donation will be added to your cell phone bill).
- One hundred percent (100%) of all contributions donated through the United Way of Hudson County will go directly to aid the earthquake victims of Haiti. Log on to their direct donation page and fill in the recipient agency as "United Way of Hudson County - Haiti Earthquake Fund."
Support Local Fundraising and Rescue Efforts
2/1/10 - JC Firehouses Collecting Food, Water Donations for Haiti - Grief Counseling Available to Haitian Community
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, members of the Municipal Council, and Fire Director Armando Roman met with the Haitian American Association and members of Jersey City’s Haitian community on Thursday, January 21, 2010, and outlined a plan for providing much needed aid for Haitians living outside of Port-Au-Prince.
While Port-Au-Prince has received a majority of the aid available in in the three weeks since the earthquake hit, many of the surrounding towns and villages which were also devastated on January 12, 2010 have not. Many outlying towns, such as Petitionville, Carfour, and Leogana, will be in critical need of medical aid and supplies for a long time to come.
“We have met with these leaders in our city’s Haitian community and we’ve listened to them as to what the needs are on the ground in Haiti,” said Mayor Healy. “We have determined a way to bring aid to the devastated country of Haiti and have identified the resources needed for transporting the goods needed, as well as getting the volunteers and personnel that we will need on the ground to distribute these goods.”
Mayor Healy and the Haitian American Association are requesting donations of canned food with can openers, bottled water and medical and first aid supplies, such as rubbing alcohol, peroxide, Neo- sporin, bandages, or aspirin. Donated items can be dropped off at any of the City’s 14 firehouses. Read more.
Monetary donations can be sent to the Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church, at 2030 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City, and to Croatian Relief Services, 225 Anderson Avenue, in Fairview, N.J. Both organizations were already established in Haiti beofre the disaster and are working together to coordinate the mission.
Medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, EMTs or firefighters with EMT training, are also encouraged to volunteer for the aid mission to help the people of Haiti’s smaller villages and towns.
Grief Counseling Services Available
Area mental health professionals have offered their services during this difficult time. Members of the Haitian community who would like to receive grief counseling, should contact Rev. Lamaire Alerte at 201-332-6057.
1/21/10 - Local Businesses, Community Groups Help Raise Funds For Haitian Relief Efforts
Anyone who’s ever lived or visited here knows what a tight knit community Jersey City is at heart. Once reports of the devastating earthquake in Haiti made the news, area businesses and community organizations began collecting donations of money, food, clothing and water for the victims and their families. Here is how some have been helping:
D.E.E.N., 140 Bay Street, has been collecting clothing, canned goods and water since word of the quake in Haiti first made the news in the U.S. So far, owner Shez Deen estimates they've collected over seven large bags of clothing, food and water, all of which will be donated to the Red Cross.
Balance Hair Salon, 18 Erie Street, will be holding a Fundraiser for the Haitian Earthquake Victims on Sunday, January 31, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. All haircuts will be $20 and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.
Club H, 60 Christopher Columbus Drive, held a $20 per ticket raffle sale for a free year of Club H gym membership, beginning Thursday, January 14, with the winning ticket drawn on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. Club H estimates they’ve raised over $1000 in ticket sales alone and have yet to total the contributions collected from a big bowl on their front desk.
Boyne Realty, 303 Grove Street, a Jersey City fixture for over 25 years, donated $1000 to the Red Cross.
The Haitian Evangelical Church, 2030 Kennedy Boulevard, has been collecting money, canned food, clothing and water which will be sent to the town of Grande Faline in Central Haiti. Dr. Lemaire Alerte has been working in Grande Faline for the last two years building a middle school. According to Dr. Alerte, since the earthquake, Grande Faline has been over whelmed with hundreds of evacuees fleeing Port Au Prince. All donations will go towards helping Grande Faline cope with the influx of refugees.
Get The Word Out - Post the Names of Survivors
“I know I speak for all residents when I say that our hearts go out to the people of Haiti as they heal and begin to rebuild their lives and their country," said Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I urge everyone who can to continue to contribute to the relief efforts."
To learn more about the U.S. response to the tragedy in Haiti and a list of federal agencies involved in the relief efforts visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/.
April 2, 2010 - Councilwoman Nidia Lopez travelled with a Hudson County Relief Delegation to Haiti to view firsthand the devastation from the January 12th earthquake. During her visit she witnessed the conditions of Haiti’s tent cities, where she and the other volunteers dispensed much needed medical supplies, mattresses and clothing. She also visited several orphanages, handing out clothing to children, who were delighted to have something better to wear. View photos of the Councilwoman's trip below:
