Local organization helps Haitians

Rochester, New York — Local organizations are working to help Haiti after the earthquake.

According to executive director of Heart of God Haiti, David Young, the most recent earthquake adds another challenge to an already struggling country.

“We just had the assassination of a president, you have the whole problem with COVID, lack of security, and all kinds of economic problems, and this is just one more layer of difficulty,” said Young.

According to Young, any aftershocks or landslides will cause further issues and damage to any remaining infrastructure and housing.

“That will be a significant problem, it was a problem in 2010 and will be a problem in this case now,” said Young.

An important factor in assisting countries after a major crisis is ensuring the methods will benefit the community long-term, Young said.

“You want to make sure if we do a rebuild that we’re using local labor, local suppliers,” said Young.

This includes using methods that can continue once aid organizations leave the area.

“Our whole model is based on making sure it’s self-sustaining and that it’s running,” said Young. “That the Haitian folks can run it by themselves with very little support from us because the long-term goal is to be self-sustaining.”

Young said if individuals want to help after this earthquake, to make sure the aid will actually benefit the people.

“If you are going to support an organization there, make sure it’s an organization that’s legitimate and the money is going to go where you want—that’s very important,” said Young. “You’ve got to think about the long-term of what you’re doing.”

Heart of God Haiti is a member of the Heart of God International Ministries and works to support schools, local businesses and individuals in the country.