Slovenian Caritas raises over EUR 40,000 for Haiti

Ljubljana, 7 December - Slovenian Caritas has raised nearly EUR 41,000 in aid for the earthquake-stricken Haiti since the start of November in a campaign as part of a three-year strategic humanitarian partnership with the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, the Catholic charity said in a release on Tuesday.

Les Cayes, Haiti A strong earthquake hit Haiti in August. Photo: Xinhua/STA File photo

Les Cayes, Haiti
A strong earthquake hit Haiti in August.
Photo: Xinhua/STA
File photo

The Caribbean island was hit by a 7.2-magnitude quake on 14 August, which killed at least 2,200 people and destroyed many homes, with many people losing their belongings and work.

As part of the campaign, the ministry has contributed EUR 30,000 and the Slovenian Catholic charity EUR 10,808.

Over 250 most vulnerable families, or over 1,640 people, in the south-west of the country have received humanitarian aid in the form of a month's worth food packages, water and sanitary products. Washable face masks to protect them from Covid-19 were also provided.

The aid was provided to the families by Caritas Haiti, which also launched efforts for the country's post-earthquake renovation at the end of November.

All members of Caritas Internationalis, including Slovenia's, are thus continuing raising funds to help 3,000 families restart agriculture and 150 families build a new home. Psychological care will also be provided, including to children.

Slovenian Caritas launched a fund-raising campaign for Haiti already in August and immediately donated EUR 5,000 to the cause, with a shipment of blankets and sleeping bags worth EUR 90,000 sent to the island trough the EU civil protection mechanism in September by the Slovenian government.

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© STA, 2021