September 3, 2021

In the early hours of August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti, extensively damaging Chalice's Haiti South site. The site is centered around the southern city of Jérémie in the Grand'Anse department. Specifically, the communities of Latibolière and Prévilé were hard-hit. Clinics, rectories, schools, and houses have collapsed.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Latibolière was totally destroyed, as was the local clinic. The kindergarten school in Prévilé was also destroyed, but the Chalice office in Jérémie is undamaged.

The Haiti North and St. Dominique sites were undamaged by the earthquake.

Fortunately, there are no reports thus far of injured sponsored children. As for immediate family of sponsored children: one mother from Latibolière was injured walking home from Jérémie when the earthquake struck and has received treatment. There are no other injuries to report from immediate family members so far. Join us in praying for the recovery of all those injured in the area.

Food has been brought to Latibolière.

In Prévilé, staff haven't yet confirmed the status of all families. This is mostly because it's a remote area in the mountains, and it's taking time to reach the families who live furthest out. Site staff and their immediate families are safe, and staff are working to aid our sponsored families as much as possible.

Right now, staff on the ground are working through their list of priorities. We know many sponsors are waiting for updates on their own sponsored families, and those updates will come in time. In the meantime, we ask for your patience and prayers as our staff continue their work.

While the communities of Jérémie, Roseaux, Prévilé, and Carrefour have been able to withdraw direct family funding, the bank in Latibolière was greatly damaged. Our site director is working to ensure families in the area receive their funding.

The suspension bridge over Jérémie was damaged during the earthquake, making food difficult to access. The shopping mall was also damaged.

Finally, thank you for praying for the people and sites in Haiti, and for donating to our Disaster Relief Fund. The money will be used for food, water, and ensuring school continues as planned. Tents will eventually be erected to serve as temporary classrooms

August 25, 2021

We've received updates on the Latibolière site, and so far, only one injury has been reported among a family member. No other injuries among immediate sponsored children or their families have been reported.

At our Prévilé site, fieldworkers are still confirming with families in the more rural areas, but so far, no injuries have been reported.

August 24, 2021

Halifax Chronicle Herald article

August 17, 2021

In the Latibolière and Prévilé sub-sites, many clinics, schools, rectories and houses have collapsed. In Jérémie and the surrounding villages, community members are choosing to sleep and spend their time in open spaces, fearing further damage from after-shocks. 

Almost all homes in Prévilé have sustained some degree of damage, while others are destroyed. The Catholic church, the kindergarten school, and the presbytery were severely damaged. 

Please note it will take some time to contact all sponsored families, so we ask for your patience and prayers in this period.”

August 16, 2021

Randy Spaulding, our International Operations Manager for Haiti has been in contact with our Haiti South site in Jeremie throughout the weekend and shared this with us.

”Thankfully, all of the site staff and their immediate families are ok. There is significant damage throughout the area. Our sub-sites of Latiboliere and Previle were hit very hard. The fieldworkers are now beginning the process of locating and communicating with all sponsored families to assess needs. That process will take some time, so we need to be patient and prayerful while we wait for further updates. Tropical Depression Grace is expected to further impact the area today and tomorrow. Our Haiti North Site and Saint Dominique site were not affected by the earthquake."

We will continue to monitor the situation at our sites and keep you informed. Please keep Haiti in your prayers as they face yet another tragic event.

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