Operation USA - 2010 Haiti Earthquake

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NEWS RELEASE: Update – DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AT THE ONE MONTH MARK:
OPERATION USA DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI

ASSESSMENT FOR LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROJECTS BEGINS

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 15, 2010)—As the one-month anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January passes, Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that its Haiti disaster relief efforts continue with additional shipments of essential medical aid, alongside the assessment of long-term recovery projects.

Operation USA estimates that it has sent over $3 million in donated medical, energy, food and shelter supplies to Haiti to date. With generous corporate support from Honeywell Hometown Solutions, United Airlines, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. and Ball Corporation, the agency has sent seven air shipments of relief supplies to Haiti in the past month, getting essential pharmaceuticals, medical, emergency and shelter supplies, generators and light towers, as well as medical personnel to partner agencies on the ground in Port-au-Prince, as well as the equally hard-hit city of Jacmel.

Three million water purification tablets are being readied for shipment for individual and family use. One million Vitamin A tablets have been ordered from a producer in Canada—a simple solution to fighting many childhood diseases. A donation of generators from Kubota Corporation is being delivered to partners on the ground in Port-au-Prince. A large-scale procurement of food, soap and utensils was made in the Dominican Republic and has been shipped to St. Damien’s Pediatric Hospital/St. Luke’s Schools for use within the large network they support. Two large donations of baby food are currently being processed in the U.S. Procurement is additionally underway for temporary housing items, including tents and prefab structures.

Long-term recovery projects are still being planned. Initial reports have identified the rebuilding of schools and clinics in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel as primary recovery projects to be undertaken. Projects will likely be funded in Grande-Goave and Petit-Goave as well. As implemented after the Asian Tsunami, Operation USA plans to give livelihood grants to local groups, individuals and families to re-establish themselves economically.

HOW TO HELP:

Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

Text “AID” to 50555 and donate $10 to OpUSA’s Haiti relief efforts.

Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested.

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FROM THE SITE:

HAITI: LOCAL PARTNER – L’Athletique d’Haiti

Operation USA began working with the Port-au-Prince based NGO L’Athletique d’Haiti following the hurricanes that hit the Caribbean in the fall of 2008. The series of storms paired with a 50% rise in food costs exacerbated the already dire circumstance, leaving many impoverished Haitians without access to basic food and nutrition. Malnutrition was at crisis level for those most vulnerable, especially children.

L’Athletique d’Haiti (LADH) is an after-school sports program that serves children from ages 6 to 17 in Cité Soleil and Bel Air, the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince. In a country where soccer is a national obsession, the lack of sports programs deprives young people of the opportunity to acquire self esteem, discipline and dedication—the skills developed through playing sports. The program additionally offers a nutritious daily meal and transportation to its participants.

To address the increased demand created by the hurricanes, Operation USA contributed to the funding of a new cafeteria for the facility. Additionally, OpUSA provided LADH with a grant to support their food program which serves children from some of the most destitute areas of Port-au-Prince and surrounding provinces.

Now, in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake, the needs have grown.

The facilities at L’Athletique d’Haiti sustained some damage in the earthquake–however, a large number of the children and families the program supported have suffered tremendously. Many of those who survived lost their homes.

The two soccer fields at LADH are currently housing as many as 500 families, sheltered in self-made or donated tents. They are being provided food and water, alongside medical care. Under the guidance of LADH’s inspiring founder Boby Duval, massive food distributions have been undertaken for those living on site.

Operation USA is currently working with LADH to address both current and long-term needs. From providing material aid, shelter and water purification systems, to rebuilding infrastructure and funding for programs, OpUSA remains committed to this program.