‘How much can this country take’: Canadians try to send food, resources to Haitians after earthquake
Posted Aug 22, 2021 4:41 pm.
MONTREAL (CityNews) ─ Just days after a powerful earthquake killed thousands of people in Haiti, Montreal-Haitians say they’re trying to help − and working to ensure funds and resources end up in the right hands.
The Aug. 14 magnitude 7.2 earthquake killed nearly 2,200 people, injured more than 12,000 and destroyed or damaged more than 100,000 homes. Hundreds are still missing.
It’s a grim repeat of the devastating earthquake of 2010. And this latest natural disaster comes just a few weeks after the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
“Another headline. A very difficult headline to see. And you’re like OK, how much can this country take?” said Deborah Cherenfant, the Haitian-born president of Montreal’s Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCCM).
Residents overtake a truck loaded with relief supplies in Vye Terre, Haiti, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Private aid and shipments from the U.S. government and others were arriving in the country’s southwestern peninsula that was struck by a 7.2 magnitude quake on Aug. 14. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Haiti is in urgent need of food, shelter and medical assistance, but the Haitian community in Montreal is remaining vigilant.
They’re looking for ways to help their home country while making sure any money collected gets into the right hands.
This after a report found that money collected following the 2010 earthquake was mismanaged and never reached the country. The government at the time was accused of not getting all the funds raised by donors to the people who needed it.
“Just travelling to Haiti many times after the earthquake and seeing still the collapsed houses that have not been rebuilt,” recounted Cherenfant.
Men scuffle over a sack of donated food taken from a truck loaded with relief supplies, in Vye Terre, Haiti, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Private aid and shipments from the U.S. government and others were arriving in the country’s southwestern peninsula that was struck by a 7.2 magnitude quake on Aug. 14. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
While support is there, several believe that misdirection of funds continues to be an ongoing issue.
“You can see it in the images that you have,” said sociologist Frederic Boisrond. “Planes are landing with human resources, with food, with water, with tents — those things are bought overseas, they’re not bought into the Haitian economy. So that money doesn’t go to Haiti.”
But Montrealers are staying committed to the cause.
“People asking me is there hope,” added Boisrond. “I say it’s not about hope. It’s about hard work and being committed to help people stay alive.”
With files from The Associated Press.
