Mobilizing for Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 10 miles outside of Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. The quake devastated the country, crippling already fragile infrastructure, killing hundreds of thousands of people, and leaving millions without access to food, water, shelter, or medical care. Though FACE AIDS' student fundraising is typically focused on HIV-affected communities in Rwanda, we quickly came together as a movement to take action and stand in solidarity with Haiti.
Within hours of the earthquake, FACE AIDS leaders were on the phone with staff at Partners In Health, devising a course of action. Shortly thereafter, Sterling Stamos, a private investment firm, pledged to match everything raised through FACE AIDS student chapters dollar for dollar up to $50,000. All funds would go to Partners In Health's relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. In less than one week, we crossed the $50,000 mark, securing the match from Sterling Stamos. To date, we have raised over $106,000 for PIH Haiti.
To stay engaged with Haiti's recovery, you can:
- Read a first-hand account of the aftermath of the quake, written by four FACE AIDS chapter leaders from Vassar College who were in Haiti when the earthquake struck.
- Visit Partners In Health's Stand With Haiti website to learn more about the impacts of the earthquake and what PIH is doing in response.
- Read the six-month progress report on PIH's earthquake recovery and rebuilding efforts.
- Sign the petition pledging your commitment to continue to stand with Haiti, even as it falls out of the news limelight.
- Make a donation. Visit FACE AIDS' fundraising page through the Stand With Haiti campaign to give. 100% of your donation will go to Partners In Health's relief and reconstruction efforts.