Why Rebuild Haiti?

A week after a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, individuals from Putnam and surrounding counties organized Rebuild Haiti. We’re making plans and setting up fundraising venues to provide as much assistance as we can.


Everyone knows about the initial devastation: an estimated 200,000 individuals are believed dead, some 250,000 were injured, 1.5 million are homeless, untold thousands of children were orphaned. Today, 20 days after the earthquake, conditions are still dire and suffering continues.

• The United Nations estimates that 2 million Haitians will need food aid until December 2010 and beyond.
• Water distribution is still limited.
• Sanitation remains a major concern; construction of latrines in the homeless camps is going slowly.
• Medicine is still badly needed.
• Some 200,000 people need post-surgery follow-up.
• An undetermined number of others still have untreated injuries.
• The number of diarrhea, measles, and tetanus cases is increasing.
• Some two million family tents will be needed; only 2,000 have been distributed so far.

REBUILD HAITI was set up to help with these longer-term aid and rebuilding needs. All humans —- Christians and non-Christians alike —- have a moral obligation to help others, no matter who they are.


We cannot ignore our responsibility because of absurd prejudices and preconceived notions about Haitians — that they are cursed by some pact with the devil, or that they are uncivilized and corrupt.

No! They are human beings, like us. And they are suffering. That is why we organized Rebuild Haiti.