L’Athletique d’Haiti infrastructure damaged by earthquake

Dear Friends,

We have kept regular contact with L’Athletique d’Haiti (LADH) as they respond to the Earthquake crisis, assess the damages and begin to rebuild themselves and their community. Needless to say, the programme, staff and students face enormous challenges as they endeavour to recover from this most devastating tragedy. That said, LADH has once again showed their courage and resolve and are playing a crucial role in responding to the needs of those affected by the quake.

International Liaison Laura Anduze offers us a glimpse of what LADH is currently facing, “L'Athletique d'Haiti (LADH) is stretched on resources at present given that a big part of the infrastructure (walls, classrooms and offices) have been damaged by the earthquake, and that the program has the additional burden of feeding the regular children plus their families plus some refugees that we have allowed to camp in our fields.

Approximately 150 program participants have been attending the facilities since last week, some with their families. As of Thursday (Jan 21) we had 50 families camping on site full-time. They are being provided with food and water and are being sheltered by self-made or donated tents”.

Program Director Boby Duval has further been leading relief efforts throughout Port-Au-Prince. Given his extensive knowledge of the city, he has lent his expertise to help Doctors without Borders reach the most difficult and needy parts of the city since the first days of the earthquake. He assisted them in getting to sites throughout Port-Au-Prince and they have subsequently cared for the injured at the LADH site as well. In addition, coolers, tents, food and hygiene supplies have been sent to LADH from Puerto Rice and Florida as part of larger distributions.

Staff and community members have collected bricks and other debris from the concrete walls surrounding the soccer fields to build a secure structure around the kitchen in order to preserve order during food distributions.

As anticipated, the people involved with LADH are stepping well above and beyond the call of duty to respond to the community during times of need; again reinforcing the importance of community-based programs. The number of youth and families that came to the facilities in the wake of the Earthquake demonstrates for us how many consider it a safe and vital place. Well beyond sports and tutoring, LADH is providing leadership in a time of crisis, a safe place for those who need it most and a vision for the way forward.

We congratulate their courage in responding to this tragedy, are confident that they will continue and hopeful that over time Haiti will be stronger and better off than ever before.

Best regards,

MaryAnn Hartley