After the earthquake

It is August 14, 2021: an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale devastated the southern peninsula of Haiti. 2,200 victims, 137,500 homes and 900 schools destroyed or damaged. The emergencies of the world now become ours when they approach, threatening, our borders. The long and disastrous emergency in Haiti, after a brief and distracted media coverage of the last earthquake in the far south of the country, only became topical again with the rejection of a large column of desperate people, who had managed to arrive on the armed southern border of the USE.

Haiti is increasingly a tangled skein of dramas on an island divided in two by the colonial powers for centuries; half to the east is now a tourist destination, the other, the republic of Haiti, is avoided by most. How did it come to this point? History rarely concedes, and it was particularly tough here. After the deportation of millions of Africans to plantations, the first violent experience of decolonization in the world took place more than two centuries ago; with, however, the immediate banning of the newborn "republic of slaves", much disliked by the powers of the time.
Not much has changed since then. The country is extremely fragile. Politically exposed to any external influence, and long ruled by ferocious regimes, even now it is prey to factional struggles, with a recently assassinated president and an absent state. While armed gangs control large areas of the territory, making your life even more difficult. In this scenario of weakness and neglect, the recurring cyclones and earthquakes add to depress the poor living conditions of a country among the poorest in the world.

One can rightly ask: where is the hope then? It is deeply rooted in the human heart. In people's desire for life, simple; in the force of life. In the "holy folly" of those who also make it their vocation to live hope and bring it where it is not there. Looking for solutions, despite everything and everyone. And in the support of all those who, as they can, share this adventure truly at the limit.

Like Sermig we have long been alongside the presence of our Camillian fathers, who work in the field of health care - with a large hospital in Port au Prince, a clinic opening in Jèremie, the epicenter of the earthquake , and other initiatives.
In the management of the emergency, the health facilities were immediately used for the reception and free treatment of traumatized and sick people. As well as supplies of sanitary material, basic necessities, food, were promptly sent to the affected areas and their distribution was directly managed. The first aid received supported other purchases of essential materials and goods, then managing their use in the field, trying to reach the villages in the mountains, which had been isolated for a long time.
We have therefore intensified the collection of medicines and medical material that we already carry out on a permanent basis for the services of the Camillians, and of foodstuffs, which will reach Haiti via the usual flow of containers.
We are also firmly committed to gathering resources to support the reconstruction effort that has already begun. Of houses, according to a functional module but at a sustainable cost. And, as Father Antonio tells us, of schools: "The first thing is the construction of a school, precisely because in the school children find a home, education, the possibility of eating once a day and because in a country like this education is key. Even if there is hunger, it is important to give awareness to the people, the people and those who will come that they are really the protagonists of their life and it is they who must radically change the fate of this very poor country ".
Rebuilding structures, but also trying to rebuild something of a community.


Mauro Palombo
NP October 2021

If you want to help us
Sermig Re.Te. Association.
for the development. Reason for "Haiti earthquake"
IBAN: IT29 P030 6909 6061 0000 0001 481
Banca Intesa SanPaolo