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Helping Haiti

On January 12, a series of earthquakes measuring 6.5 to 7.3 on the Richter scale devastated the island nation of Haiti. According to news reports, it is estimated that 3 million people – a third of Haiti’s population – were in need emergency relief. In the nights following the earthquake, many people in Haiti slept in the streets.

The earthquake caused major damage to Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and other settlements in the region. Many notable landmark buildings were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail. The headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), located in the capital, also collapsed. Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings were severely damaged and needed to be demolished. The deputy mayor of Léogâne reported that 90% of the town's buildings had been destroyed.

Construction standards are low in Haiti; the country has no building codes. Engineers have stated that it is unlikely many buildings would have stood through any kind of disaster. Structures are often raised wherever they can fit; some buildings were built on slopes with insufficient foundations or steel works. A representative of Catholic Relief Services has estimated that about two million Haitians lived as squatters on land they did not own. The country also suffered from shortages of fuel and potable water even before the disaster

Appeals for humanitarian aid were issued by many aid organisations, the United Nations and president René Préval. Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel.  

It saddens us to announce that many of our own Coaster employees in Florida have been directly affected by the severity of the disaster. Those affected are grieving several loved ones, trying to locate family members, and staying in touch with family members who have been displaced. We extend our deepest condolences to them and their families.

In response to last weeks devastating earthquakes, the owners of Coaster, Michael and Lisa, initiated the set up of a fund for voluntary employee donations. They also contributed by doubling all employee donations two dollars of theirs for every one dollar donated by employees. After three weeks Coaster raised $12,721.50 for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

 

COMPANY WEBSITE | EDITORIAL | PAST ISSUES