On Tuesday, Haiti was struck by 7.0 magnitude earthquake. There have been many aftershocks, and then another 6.1 magnitude earthquake 35 miles north of the capital city Port-au-Prince.
The poorest country in the western hemisphere has no infrastructure, no organization, and no tools and equipment to supply the basic needs of food, water, shelter and medicine.
Many local organizations and government agencies are trying their best to organize to help Haiti. However, everyone fears that the money collected for the large organizations like the Red Cross may not reach the needy, so local organizations are trying to organize a massive effort to help Haiti.
Many local Haitian leaders and ministers gathered with the goal to help Haiti. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Newark Councilman Oscar James, a nonprofit organization called United Community Corporation, Pentecostal Family Prayer Center, First Class Championship Development Center, The Haitian Community Church of Nazarenes, Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, United Muslim Inc., Triumph the Church of the New Age and Palm Garden Holiness Church, The International Youth Organization, Clinton Hill Community and Early Childhood Center , the Salvation Army and community leaders called a press conference to spread the word for their effort to help Haiti. The press conference was at First Class Championship Development Center located at 936 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ.
Newark Councilman Oscar James said, "This is personal to me. My grandfather grew up in Guyana. Haiti is like our long lost cousins. Haiti's peaceful people are fighting for survival. From Beth Israel Hospital, 20 plus doctors closed their practice and went to Haiti. The City of Newark has not forgotten our lost brothers and sisters of Haiti."
Mary Durden, Chairperson of UCC's Board of Directors said, "All UCC centers and our local partner's sites will serve as collection and distribution points where all citizens can give."
Carolyn Shabazz, founder and president of First Class Championship Development Center said, "This is an ongoing effort to show our solid support and efforts to provide our fellow Haitians with the assistance they need at this time."
Craig Rogers said, "We will pick up and we will sort all the goods. We are not collecting any money."
Dr. Pauline Ballard offered a prayer to help Haitians.
Mr. Jean Lamonthe, a liaison for Haitian Minister's Alliance said, "Do not send money to the Red Cross or other large organizations."
Dr. Jeremias L. Murillo of Beth Israel Hospital said, "I saw a newspaper and they showed dead people on the street. In this kind of catastrophe, this would happen. Haiti has limited infrastructure. Right now, people in Haiti need help. They need food, water and medical supplies. Money can't buy anything."
Imam Aqueel said, "You can't go with food and our neighbors go hungry."
These organizations are collecting goods to help Haiti. As soon as the opening is there to go to Haiti with the goods, they will go personally and the items will reach the needy.
They are collecting clothes, canned goods, bottled water, toiletries and medical supplies for the people of Haiti. The drop-off centers are: 31 Fulton Street, 600 South 17th Street, 34 Bloomfield Ave., 1065 Bergen Street, 332-334 South 8th Street, North Ward Center, South Ward Center, 24-26 East Runyon Street. All locations are in Newark.
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