Thousands trying to leave Haiti’s capital

US AID reported that as many as 200,000 Haitians have fled the capital, and many more are trying to do so. Many of those are flooding the cities and towns in northern Haiti.

Jenny Reitz and Gail Kealy serve in LaPointe, Haiti, on the north coast, near Port-de-Paix. Every refugee arriving back there  has a story - many sad and many amazing; almost all have lost loved ones.

Tonsene's son was buried from the waist down in the rubble of a house.  Five of his friends were busy digging him out when an aftershock started. In fear for their lives, four of his friends fled, but one stayed and continued to dig him out. After 6 hours, the boy was freed, and returned to La Pointe (150 miles north), where he is receiving treatment for his injured leg.

Darlene is the daughter of a neighboring family in La Pointe.  She was on the 3^rd floor of her school in Port-au-Prince. Just before the earthquake, she was called down for a phone call. While outside for the call, the earthquake hit, the school collapsed and ALL the students were buried under the rubble. Darlene was uninjured.

Who is helping these people? They are people like Dr. Bill and a team of medical professionals who have arrived in La Pointe after a long arduous journey by land from Cap Haïtien. The first day, they evaluated over 80 orthopedic cases. Then they started surgeries at 7 pm, doing compound fracture treatments, amputations, femur fractures and the like. Getting the right supplies is difficult.

Grief and trauma counseling is very needed. Crisis team leader David in Port-au-Prince reflects, "one woman broke down trembling and in tears today, her little baby beside her. Many people have suffered the worst losses imaginable. Pray that in the relief and recovery effort we won't forget the need for grief counseling ."

You can give to CrossWorld's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Just Click here and share with those in need. - or give through the CrossWorld offices in Mississauga, Ontario, or Kansas City, MO.

Good News for American Donors: The House and Senate have passed a bill which permits Haiti relief gifts made between January 12 and Feb 28, 2010 to be deducted on the 2009 tax return. For more details, contact Bob Simrak, CrossWorld Director of Advancement.

Good News for Canadian Donors: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match any donation made by a Canadian individual - to the Haiti relief earthquake efforts. The Gift must be made to a registered Canadian charity like CrossWorld Canada, and given before Feb 12, 2010. Maximum gift per donor is $100,000.

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