The earthquake that hit Haiti on August 14 has caused more than 12,000 injuries and counting, creating a surge of people in need of urgent wound care and rehabilitation services. Humanity & Inclusion is partnering with Fondation Tous Ensemble (FONTEN), a local organization that operates the only rehabilitation center in the Cayes, Haiti.

Humanity & Inclusion sent four members of its global, emergency response pool to Haiti, landing in Port Au Prince on August 19. They joined the program staff, present in Haiti since 2008, who have been hard at work preparing HI’s response since the quake hit. The team includes an emergency area manager, a rehabilitation / mental health and psychosocial support specialist, a logistics technician, and a communications officer.

Deliver emergency aid to Haiti

Marjorie is a rehabilitation specialist for Humanity & Inclusion. She took time on August 19, to share what conditions are like in Grand Sud, Haiti.

Deliver emergency aid to Haiti

According to the latest reports, at least 2,000 people have died, nearly 12,000 are injured and the damages are significant. Frédely Jean, inclusion project manager* for Humanity & Inclusion in Haiti, felt the earth shake on Saturday, Aug. 14. He tells us more about what life is like in Haiti following the recent disaster: 

On Saturday morning, I was playing with my 10-year-old daughter when my wife, who had felt the earthquake, came running in. All three of us ran out, taking our two-month-old daughter with us, and we sat on wasteland, away from the buildings. And actually, the tremors began to build, and in the distance, we saw the houses were swaying.

After the impact of Saturday’s earthquake followed by Tropical Storm Grace, Humanity & Inclusion is planning its first assessments in the most isolated regions.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Haiti on Aug. 14 has resulted in at least 2,000 deaths, and nearly 10,000 injuries. 

In preparation for emergency reinforcements arriving Wednesday afternoon, Humanity & Inclusion staff already present in Haiti plan to perform assessments in affected areas as soon as possible. Teams are traveling to the South and Grand’Anse regions to evaluate ports, make contact with local authorities and collect information regarding hospital needs.

Deliver emergency aid to Haiti

Humanity & Inclusion provides the only maritime transport for humanitarian aid in the southwest of Haiti.

In response to the earthquake, Humanity & Inclusion plans to organize shipment pooling for NGOs and send approximately 760 tons of food, as well as medical supplies and essential non-food items by the end of August.

Humanity & Inclusion’s Haitian team is preparing an emergency response following Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The most affected regions remain blocked, keeping thousands of people from receiving vital aid.

Ongoing evaluations of the situation show death tolls on a steady rise as official reports estimate more than 1,400 deaths so far, with those numbers expected to grow. Nearly 7,000 people were injured in the disaster, more than 5,400 homes were damaged and 2,870 were completely destroyed, leaving thousands displaced and without shelter. The humanitarian impact is devastating and people in the South, Grand’Anse and Nippes regions of Haiti need emergency support.

Humanity & Inclusion teams have been assessing the situation, planning emergency response and have identified three areas of priority:

• medical support (including care for the wounded and emergency rehabilitation)
• logistics support
• essential needs (food, shelter, sanitation and hygiene)

According to the latest reports, at least 1,300 people have died, more than 5,700 are injured and the damages are significant. Sibille Buehlmann, rehabilitation specialist for Humanity & Inclusion, felt the earth shake on Saturday, Aug. 14. She took time on Sunday to share her experience from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Here's what she said: 

A population traumatized

The earthquake was felt throughout the country. Immediately after, everyone went out into the street, outside the buildings, to protect themselves from possible collapses. This is the safety protocol here in case of an earthquake. 

The cell phone networks were saturated. Everyone was checking on their relatives. At Humanity & Inclusion, we immediately checked on the situation of each team member. Everyone was safe. 

There were aftershocks during the day and late into the night. It's exhausting. For many, in addition to the deaths and injuries, the earthquake reawakens the trauma of 2010, when a terrible earthquake killed over 200,000 people. I have friends in the north of the country who slept outside at night for fear of the tremors.

Deliver emergency aid to Haiti

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti on August 14, resulting in more than 2,200 deaths and more than 12,700 injuries*. Hundreds of people are still missing.

The quake damaged at least 137,000 homes, as well as churches, bridges, piers, and other infrastructure.

Our Haitian teams are working closely with local authorities and partners to identify the most pressing needs. Additional Humanity & Inclusion emergency teams are activated for reinforcement.

Humanity & Inclusion's interventions include:

• Rehabilitation services and distribution of mobility aids for people with injuries, and people with disabilities
• Psychosocial and mental health support
• Logistics support to transport critical aid (HI already had a fleet of 10 boats serving the hardest-hit region.)
• Water, sanitation and hygiene services
• Basic needs items, such as food, shelter, and cash transfers

Humanity & Inclusion teams have been working in Haiti since 2008. In the immediate aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, staff rushed to provide emergency rehabilitation, mobility aids and essential supplies — while ensuring an inclusive humanitarian response. Since then, Humanity & Inclusion has continued to work alongside impacted communities through inclusive livelihood projects, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness planning.

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Read the latest updates

*Casualty figures are updated as information becomes available.
Image: People search the rubble of a destroyed hotel after the August 14, 2021, earthquake in Haiti. Copyright: Stanley Louis/AFP

On August 14, a powerful earthquake brought destruction and devastation to the people of Haiti. Relying on past experiences in emergency earthquake response, Humanity & Inclusion prepares to intervene.  

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Haiti early Saturday morning, resulting in severe damage, injury and deaths. Initial reports by the National Emergency Operations Center say the disaster has resulted in at least 700 deaths and 1,800 people with injuries.

With an epicenter about 8 miles from Petit Trou de Nippes, the most affected areas are the South, Nippes and Grande Anse regions of Haiti, where hundreds of homes, schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. Beyond the risks caused by the tremor, Haiti remains under alert for Tropical Storm Grace, rising sea levels and tsunami in the coming days.

Assessing Needs

With reports of nearly 2,000 people injured already, the most pressing needs are for medical attention and care for the wounded. Hospitals are overwhelmed by the heightened demand, piling atop the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and damages sustained to their buildings. Several have called for emergency reinforcement.

In any natural disaster, people with disabilities, women, children and aging people are the most likely to be negatively affected. During the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the country in 2010, Humanity & Inclusion teams saw the devastating effect on these populations. Between 2,000 and 4,000 people had limbs amputated from injuries caused by the 2010 earthquake. More than 90,000 people received rehabilitation care to prevent the onset of permanent injuries. Humanity & Inclusion teams say this situation could be similar.  

“From our previous experience, we’re expecting an enormous need for rehabilitation,” says Anissa Bouachria, Humanity & Inclusion’s Emergency Pool Manager. “There are thousands injured, and many of those injuries may worsen or turn into permanent disabilities. Beyond this, people have experienced significant trauma and will need psychosocial support in addition to basic needs like food, water, shelter and items for personal hygiene.” 

Read the latest updates

Response Plan

Humanity & Inclusion, already present in Haiti, is assessing the evolving situation and preparing plans for intervention. At this time, teams are working closely with local authorities to identify the most pressing needs and possibilities. Additional Humanity & Inclusion emergency teams have been activated, and will be sent for reinforcement as soon as possible.

Among the greatest needs for the population, the following have been identified as potential areas of Humanity & Inclusion intervention given the organization’s expertise:

• Rehabilitation services and distribution of mobility aids
• Psychosocial and mental health support
• Logistics support
• Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
• Basic needs (food access, shelter, cash transfers)

Humanity & Inclusion in Haiti

Humanity & Inclusion has been active in Haiti since 2008 and has developed a close relationship to the community. The organization has been an active part of disaster relief interventions related to the 2010 earthquake and 2016 Hurricane Matthew, while ensuring an inclusive humanitarian response in these efforts. Among other activities of inclusive livelihood and rehabilitation, Humanity & Inclusion also set up the first DVFP (disability and vulnerability focal points) and partnered with the Office of the Secretary of State for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities. Today, Humanity & Inclusion remains committed to serving the people of Haiti during this time of great need.

Image: A young girl clears debris following destruction of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Copyright: William Daniels/HI Archives - 2010