Chicago, IL – A powerful earthquake hit Haiti yesterday. Thousands of people are feared dead. Many thousands more are either injured or entirely homeless. Given the context of acute impoverishment that affects the majority of the population in Haiti, the impact of this natural disaster means a total catastrophe for millions of Haitians. In the aftermath of this natural disaster, leaders of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC) have issued the following statement:
«The powerful earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday, given the context of impoverishment and misery that affect the majority of Haitians, will translate into extreme hardship, even death, for millions of Haitian families for years to come,» stated Angela Sanbrano, President of NALACC. «We call on governments from around the world, particularly the rich nations on earth; as well as all humanitarian organizations to extend a generous helping hand to the people of Haiti in this moment of tragedy and calamity,» added Ms. Sanbrano.
«Every person of good faith should find a way to be supportive of our Haitian brothers and sisters. Everyone’s helping hand is urgently needed,» stated Juvencio Rocha Peralta, NALACC’s vice-president. In situations like this, the most efficient and effective way to provide immediate support is by making a financial contribution to the people of Haiti via a trusted and experienced relief or Haitian community organization,» concluded Mr. Rocha Peralta.
«We call on President Obama to immediately grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to all nationals of Haiti currently residing in the U.S. This is one of the most effective ways to support the people of Haiti in this time of national tragedy,» stated Oscar Chacon, NALACC’s executive director. «TPS is an immigration relief program granted at the discretion of the U.S. President precisely in circumstances like this. We call on President Obama to grant TPS for Haitian nationals right away,» concluded Mr. Chacon.
In addition to experienced and trusted local relief and Haitian community organizations, the following national organizations are recommended as trustworthy channels to handle humanitarian support for the people of Haiti:
Church World Service
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=how_donate
Catholic Relief Services
https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3181&3181.donation=form1
American Jewish World Service
https://secure.ajws.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3460&3460.donation=form1
Care
https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?5000.donation=form1&df_id=5000
Red Cross
https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4306.donation=form1&idb=1324549179&df_id=4306
Oxfam America
https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3560&3560.donation=form1
NALACC is a network of immigrant-led organizations working to improve the quality of life in their communities, in the United States, as well as in their countries of origin. Visit us on the web at
