After the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the south of Haiti on Saturday August 14, Catholic agencies, Catholic Relief Services (Caritas USA) and Caritas Haiti have been working to provide relief to over 75,000 affected families.

The death toll has grown to over 2200 with more than 9000 being injured, and expectations are for these figures to continue to rise as 344 people are still missing. At least 53,000 homes were destroyed and another 46,000 damaged.

Then on Tuesday, August 17, Tropical Storm Grace hit Haiti. “The storm has complicated relief efforts because now some key roads are impassable from flooding-related landslides or damage to bridges”, said Melville Fernandez, Caritas Australia’s Humanitarian Emergencies Manager. “There is immediate and urgent need for food, water, shelter, hygiene kits and first aid on the ground”.

CRS (Caritas USA) is currently distributing tents, tarps, hygiene kits, kitchen kits and metal sheets to affected families in Les Cayes and is working with other organisations to coordinate response on the ground.

To provide support, you can donate to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Appeal or call 1800 024 413.