Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Lambi Fund Update: A Path to Recovery in Haiti


The days following the earthquake were a busy and stressful time for Lambi Fund. Contacting staff and partner organizations proved to be a difficult task given the lack of phone service, power, internet and destruction of major roads to rural communities.
On January 16, 2010 staff in the US finally heard from Lambi Fund’s country director in Haiti. While staff in Haiti have been struggling to survive in a city that has been demolished, we here overjoyed to hear that all Lambi Fund staff members were alive and suffered relatively minor injuries.

January 18, 2010: Lambi Fund Country Director Josette Perard finally made it through the debris and checkpoints to our office space located in downtown Port-au-Prince. It sustained damages but is still standing! Important documents and equipment were salvaged for the time being as it lacked electricity needed for the office to be functional.
January 19-24, 2010: Staff have been working out of our Field Coordinator’s house; one of the few houses still standing that has electricity. Lambi Fund’s office building is being used as shelter for those that have been displaced.

Several Lambi Fund led regional meetings have convened in rural communities outside, under trees throughout Haiti. These communities are currently experiencing tremendous rates of outmigration that are severely stressing already limited resources. The 1,000’s of refugees streaming into these villages daily desperately need immediate relief. As such our local partner organizations and Lambi Fund have begun distributing major essentials like food, water and medical supplies to displaced persons. Shelters are in the process of being built as well.
January 25, 2010: Staff finally managed to purchase gas for Lambi Fund’s generator. The office has electricity, is up and running and is fully operational! Continued discussions with grassroots organizations in rural communities have led to the development of a four-phase recovery plan that will be critical in Haiti’s long-term recovery:

1. Distribute food and emergency essentials to those migrating from Port-au-Prince to rural areas.
  1. Repair damage in rural communities
  2. Expand sustainable agriculture programs to meet the increased demand for food in rural areas
  3. Increase opportunities for sustainable income for those displaced by the earthquake so that the influx of people migrating to countryside can start earning sustainable livelihoods

Play a major role in expanding resources, rebuilding, and providing refugees with the means for economic livelihoods in rural communities by supporting this important long-term recovery program in Haiti today.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Lambi Fund's Executive Director on CBS Denver

Watch Lambi Fund Executive Director on CBS Denver channel 4 as her and her adopted daughter from Haiti discuss the earthquake.

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=66589@kcnc.dayport.com

Lambi Fund of Haiti Earthquake Recovery

Earthquake photo

The strong 7.3 earthquake that rocked Haiti has left this impoverished nation in a state of ruin.
Nearly every building over one-story has collapsed. The Presidential Palace has collapsed. Schools have fallen, hospitals have fallen, and hotels have fallen. The ministries of finance and other depart-ments, Supreme Court, and Parliament have all collapsed as well.
This strong earthquake and its 20+ aftershocks have pounded Haiti and destroyed many of the sus-tainable development projects run by grassroots groups that are partnering with the Lambi Fund of Haiti. Here are our plans for helping communities recover:
The Lambi Fund of Haiti is not a first responder, but a second responder meaning Lambi Fund will be there to help Haiti rebuild long after the relief service providers leave.
  • Help members of peasant groups get food and essentials for their families to re-establish their lives.
  • Help Lambi Fund field staff replace their belongings (food, clothing, furniture) that were lost in the quake. The sooner we help them get back on their feet, the sooner they can help peasant communities rebuild.
  • Recapitalize micro–credit funds run by peasant organizations so that people can replenish and continue their small businesses.
  • Rebuild grain mills, sugar cane mills and other economic development community enterprises lost in the earthquake. These buildings are the centers of communities’ economic livelihoods.
  • Repair rainwater cisterns so people will have a supply of safe drinking water.
  • Help peasant organizations buy goats, pigs, and chickens to replenish livestock. A few animals will quickly reproduce and provide offspring for animal husbandry projects.
To help our Haitian neighbors, please donate now!
Lambi Fund of Haiti
PO Box 18955
Washington DC 20036
(202)-833-3713

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Lambi Fund's ED Responds to News of the Earthquake in Haiti

Watch Lambi Fund Executive Director, Karen Ashmore, respond to news of recent earthquakes in Haiti.

Collapsed Presidential Palace

Lambi Fund just received this photo of the collapsed presidential building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti from friend Natania Etienne.

The damage in Haiti is catastrophic by all reports: the UN Ministah building has collapsed, Hotel Montana has collapsed, the center of Port-au-Prince destroyed, 1,000's are dead, countless residential homes are in ruin and electricity and phone lines are down.

Haiti needs your help now more than ever, donate at www.lambifund.org to help rebuild today.

Earthquake Update

Just got word from a Lambi Fund board member that Presidential Palace, Ministries of Finance, Public Transport, Communications, Justice and Parliament have all collapsed. Delmas, where several Lambi Fund staff members live, was heavily damaged. Unibank (where we have our bank account) collapsed. People are going by on stretchers. No phone service, no electricity. Port au Prince dark except for fires. If stable buildings have collapsed, we know the grain mills, sugar cane mills and rainwater cisterns that Lambi Fund helped support have collapsed. To help rebuild, go to http://bit.ly/4ELiUs

Earthquake Hits Haiti

Major 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti today. Epicenter 10 miles SW of Port au Prince. Haiti needs our support!