In the next 24 hours, Hurricane Matthew will be running its course through Haiti. With maximum winds of up to 140 miles per hour and up to 40 inches of rain, it is predicted there will be a lot of destruction: flash floods, mudslides, and damaged homes and buildings. It’s currently on a course to hit Southwestern Haiti. It is a stronger hurricane than Katrina, and Haiti is far less equipped to deal with the storm.
We are concerned for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and want to show support as much as possible. In Port-au-Prince where the ICC Haiti office is, they are closely watching the storm and all activities including work and school are cancelled in anticipation. We have word that in Les Cayes many people have been preventatively moved to shelters.
update: Clinics at Grace Children's Hospital are closed today, but a few medical professionals were able to make it to Grace to continue care for the 20 children in the inpatient ward. They are safe and being well cared for.
Although we hope the storm will spare Haiti, we want to be prepared for what may happen. Here’s what we plan to do here at International Child Care (USA):
- We are in close contact with our staff in Haiti who will provide us updates as able as the storm proceeds.
- Until the storm has passed, we won't have a clear evaluation for what is needed or how to help. If at that point there is a need, we will then reach out for support.