Helping the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake

BACKGROUND: On Tuesday, January 12, a powerful earthquake battered the Caribbean nation of Haiti, devastating the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Thousands are feared dead from the immediate impact, with thousands more injured and an estimated 3 million Haitians may face hardship in the aftermath.

Update: JDC’s Emergency Response to the Haiti Earthquake. Find out how where your donations go (January 19).

Winnipeg Community donates over $17,380 to Haiti relief
through the Jewish Federation - read most recent update
(January 15).

Click here to read the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg's press release (January 14).

HOW YOU CAN HELP: The Jewish Federations of North America is partnering with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to provide urgently needed aid and relief on a nonsectarian basis to victims of the devastating earthquake. Click here to give.

The federal government will match donations from Canadians to build an emergency fund up to $100 million to help humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon praised the outpouring of support by Canadians and said the federal government will match donations dollar-for-dollar. Source: Sun Media

ONLINE COVERAGE:

• Haiti Earthquake coverage: (CNN) 
• Live Updates on Earthquake impact (BBC)
• U.S. Coordinates Government-Wide Rescue Effort After Haiti Earthquake (FoxNews)
• 3 Israelis feared missing; team off to Haiti (YNetnews)
• Jewish Federations Support JDC's Fund to Help Victims of Haiti Earthquake (Jewish Federations Leadership Briefing)
• Aiding Victims of Haiti Earthquake (JDC's No Passport Required blog)

SIDEBAR - The Jews of Haiti: A Jewish presence in Haiti dates back to 1492; the interpreter on Christopher Columbus’ ship was Luis de Torres, a Converso. Today, Haiti’s Jewish population is approximately 25, centered around Port-au-Prince, the earthquake epicenter. Haiti and Israel have full diplomatic relations.