Haiti Copes With Its Orphan Crisis
Haiti (MNN) ― The 7.0-magnitude quake that shook Haiti on January 12 left much of the capital Port-au-Prince in ruins.
The disaster destroyed the infrastructure and the seat of government, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.
Four months later, hundreds of quake survivors are still in limbo. These survivors are the orphans. At the best of times, Haiti counted just 100 licensed orphanages and 67 orphanages licensed to perform adoptions.
Eva DeHart, founder of For Haiti With Love, says that poses a unique problem now for their staff members. “The government brought five little girls to the orphanage and just said, ‘You will take these.’ Presume asked, ‘Do they come with food?’ The guys from the government just laughed, ‘Of course they don’t come with food.’ They have more kids than they know what to do with, and they’re forcing existing orphanages to take them.”
As the government continues to restructure, many of the larger aid groups are focusing on helping to rebuild. A double bind of time and funding is forming. Monies going to help Haiti are either going to Port-au-Prince or being held for rebuilding and long-term projects.
It seems as if smaller organizations such as For Haiti with Love are left to keep people alive. DeHart says, “We thought those first few weeks were the biggest challenge, but it was only the slow beginning of a daily increasing need.”
For Haiti With Love works in Cap Haitien, an already overcrowded city now burgeoning with refugees from the quake zone. More kids, rising prices and falling funding means they need help.
In spite of the starkness of their future, kids and families are finding hope. DeHart says the Gospel is going forward. “We’re using Proclaimers ; we’ve had gifts of Creole New Testaments by the case. Everyone who comes is blessed by the Word of God. Pray that the ears are open and that we have the resources, strength and primarily wisdom.”
(Source: Mission Network News)
