Kelley Manges
The 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti in January brought relief efforts from all the over the world. There were individuals and organizations stepping up to lend a hand to the millions of Haitians who were devastated by the quake that measured 7.0 on the Richter scale. A few of those organizations providing assistance included the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Compassion International, the American Bible Society and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian Catholic organization that provides aid to countries such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States. CRS has had a presence in Haiti for the past 50 years. Initially the organization provided aid to refugees in Europe in the early 1950s. At that time it was known as War Relief Services. The name changed to Catholic Relief Services in 1955.
CRS has provided aid to Haitians since 1954 when Hurricane Hazel killed more than 1,000 people. Since then, the organization has continued to provide education and health programs, food, shelter and agricultural recovery to Haitian residents. One of the most important contributions made over the years by CRS for the people of Haiti has been safe water provisions.
CRS’s initial financial contribution to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake was $5 million. Since the quake, Catholic Relief Services has continued to provide financial and emergency aid to the people of Haiti. In addition to the aforementioned assistance, CRS provides safe water by daily filling 2,600 ton bladders in the Bureau de Mines Camp in Port a Prince. The organization has also provided showers, latrines and hand washing stations.
In 2008 and 2009, 95 percent of CRS’s operating expenses went directly to programs while only 5 percent went to fundraising and administration costs. As a result, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance found that CRS met all 20 standards for charity accountability in 2008.
On a more local level, the Hope for Haiti initiative here at Lewis University continues to move forward with fundraising efforts by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. There are also ongoing Hope for Haiti or “Lespwa pou Ayiti” (Creole for “Hope for Haiti”) events that are continuing throughout the semester where students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to participate every Tuesday at the Sancta Alberta Chapel and remember the people of Haiti.
Kelley Manges, Staff Writer
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