American Red Cross in Haiti

“If I have goats, turkeys, and chickens, and I take care of them so they reproduce, that could help me during the hard times my family experiences,” said Monistile Celeste (left) who stands with livestock given to him by the American Red Cross to encourage economic activity in rural communities.

The Haitian Red Cross suffered serious damage during the earthquake, so the American Red Cross has invested in the organization to ensure its strength and sustainability. The construction of a new office building and blood collection center is part of this work.

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, American Red Cross staff member, Rhode Jean Philippe, distributes cholera prevention kits—containing things like soap, buckets and water purification tabs—and educating residents on prevention and treatment measures.

Frantz Volma stands behind the counter of his newly-opened restaurant in Carrefour-Feuilles, Frantz received financial support and training from the American Red Cross to open his new business and has high hopes for its success.

Robin Yevline practices metal work at a professional training center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The American Red Cross funded a scholarship for Robin to attend the vocational training, after which she hopes to obtain a job and support her family.

Magdiana Jean and her 4-month-old son, Ricardo, visit the maternity and pediatrics ward of a clinic run by Red Cross partner HOPE in Borgne, Haiti. Since the earthquake struck, the American Red Cross has funded more than 50 hospitals and clinics in Haiti – helping to rebuild the country’s medical infrastructure.

“We are happy and proud of our new school,” exclaimed Samantha Georges, a 6th grader standing on her school’s newly renovated walkway. The American Red Cross provided funding to renovate the school, Ecole CEMEAH, which can also serve as an evacuation center during natural disasters.

Angeni Senpha and her children used to have a pit latrine but now use a composting toilet at their home. The American Red Cross is funding and working with partner organization, SOIL, in northern Haiti to install toilets and to expand the capacity of the composting waste treatment facility.

In partnership with CARE, the Red Cross is helping homeowners like Reynal Gue (right) repair and expand their houses, as well as make them more disaster-resistant. The homeowners who benefit from this program agree to provide a free room to former camp residents for 18 to 24 months, offering them a safe place to live as they rebuild their lives.

Ever since she found out she was pregnant, Elièse Louis has been coming to Mirebalais Hospital—built in part with American Red Cross funding—to receive ongoing prenatal, birth, and postnatal care. In June 2014, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Lovenosky.

The American Red Cross, in partnership with Mercy Corps, has helped set up 35 savings and loan associations in the neighborhood of Carrefour-Feuilles. This savings group has been active since May 2014 and its members are proud to be able to save money by themselves.

Sadia, Landy, Godson, and Gerdy-Ythamar celebrate education. Through the American Red Cross and HELP, the recent high school graduates received full-paid scholarships to attend college in Haiti.