Hurricane Jeanne has left the islands,
particularly Haiti, Grenada, and
Jamaica, in ruin with its citizens completely
devastated wondering how and when they will began to
piece together their lives. These islands aren’t
protected by the same government agencies like FEMA,
that began immediately providing assistance and aid
to its US residents. In Haiti, 1500 people were
killed alone and another 900 are missing due to the
onslaught of Hurricane Jeanne, however, the United Nations
only gave them $60,000 in immediate relief.
We must not forget these people, we must continue in
our efforts more than ever to help them in their time
of need. SSHF spoke with Kathleen Pirozz and told her
of our concerns for the islands and asked what we could
do to help them as well. Kathleen contacted the World
Office of the Salvation Army and forwarded our information
to Major Ron Busroe, the Division Leaders of the Haiti
Territory, with our concern to help them. Major Ron
Busroe contacted the SSHF on Monday 27, 2004 and informed
us of the conditions they are suffering in Haiti and
the need for immediate relief. SSHF will be working
with Major Ron Busroe who is now in Haiti to immediately
begin assisting their efforts. Stephanie Starks Hope
Foundation is also in communication with Major Olivia
Gulley who is over the Caribbean Territory Disaster
Relief and we are planning to partner with them and
do our part to aid these islands. It is our goal to
ship at least 5 truckloads of food, water,medicine,
disinfectant, and clothes to Haiti by or before October
30, 2004.
Every can, every single item counts and adds up to
make a huge impact. We cannot control the storms
but we can control our response. The people
of Florida need our help as well as the people in Haiti
whose country has been ravaged by these hurricanes.
With more than 2000 deaths and 900 missing we
must REACT NOW!
Over the weekend of September 25th, SSHF President Shelia
Starks was in Florida and experienced first-hand the
effect of these vicious storms that seem to have no
end in sight. Her comments were: “I was able to
leave the home I was visiting and go to another home
where there was power. My heart goes out to
the many in Haiti and the other islands who have to
experience another storm but have no shelter, have no
food, and have no hope."
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Below is a letter from Major Ron Busroe, Divisional
Commander of the Salvation Army - Haiti. It details
what items are needed to help aid the hurricane victims
in Haiti.
27 September 2004
Attention: Shelia Starks
Dear Sheila:
Thanks you for your interest in Haiti. It was good
to talk to you this morning and I look forward to working
with you.
Here is the list of needed items: dry beans, rice,
canned milk, oil, sugar, salt.
All of these items can be purchased in Haiti.
In addition to food, affected families are in need
of bedding, clothing, shoes, household items, foam for
mattresses, cleaning supplies, disinfectant, brooms
and shovels.
Families in rural areas will need farm tools, seeds
and farm animals replaced, e.g. pigs, goats, chickens
and cows.
You need to know that items sent to Haiti via the port
are difficult to deal with because of the customs fees
and the corruption. We have yet to hear if the government
will make any special arrangments (sic) for private
humanitarian shipments.
At this point we are purchasing items in bulk to be
distributed to families in Gonaives, Gros Morne and
Port de Paix. There are also a number of small villages
in the Gros Morne area that we are hoping to provide
some additional support.
As you can imagine most of the attention if focused
on Gonaives but there are affected people in other areas
as well.
Please let me know what additional information you
need from us.
Again thank you for your concern for the people of
Haiti. May God bless you.
Ron
Major Ron Busroe
The Salvation Army
Divisional Commander - Haiti
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