Collecting Aid for Haiti

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Carline Desire, AFAB. Tel: 617-287-0096 (office) 617-947-4279 (cell)
Guyval Mercedat, Gonaïves en Marche. Tel: 781-962-4188 (cell)

The New England Haitian Community joins arms and hearts to support Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike.

Boston, Massachusetts, September 9, 2008 . Several hundred thousand people have been displaced and severely affected in Haiti by the recent hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike. The actual death toll rose to more than 500. Cities and towns, including Gonaives, Jacmel, Cabaret and Mirebalais, are flooded, causing more than 300,000 to become homeless, the loss of thousands livestock, and the destruction of already limited infrastructure (roads, bridges, and schools) and agricultural plantations. “I have never seen anything as painful” said Dr. Paul Farmer.

The New England Haiti Relief Effort is soliciting the collaboration of the general public, organizations and friends of Haiti to help achieve the following goals in two weeks:
Collect monetary donations to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Donations can be deposited at Citizens Bank, Account # 1313181878 with the memo “New England Haiti Hurricane Relief Fund”
Collect medical and hygiene supplies (over the counter medicine, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and sanitary products, etc.)
School supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils and backpacks)

The New England Haiti Relief Task Force encourages all concerned citizens, schools, hospitals and organizations to initiate their own drives in support of the Task Force. Members of the Task Force will coordinate the pick of the monetary donations and other items collected.

To launch the Relief Effort, a Press Conference will be held:
When: Thursday, September 11
Where: KAFANM- 330 Fuller Street , Dorchester , MA
Time: 6:00 PM

Partial list of Supporting Organizations:
Association of Haitian Women (AFAB), Center for Community Health Education and Research (CCHER), Coalition des Roche-à-Batelais pour l’Expansion Locale (CORABEL), Foundation for the Technological and Economic Advancement of Mirebalais (FATEM). Gonaives en Marche, Haitian Multi-Service Center/ Catholic Charities, Haitian American Public Health Initiatives (HAPHI), Haitian-Americans United (HAU), Home Town Association Resource Group, Mass. Community Health Services in Brockton, The Road to Development, YOFES, etc…__._,_.___