Haiti: Eye Witness Accounts

Father Antonio Sandoval, Caribbean regional co-ordinator for Caritas Latin America is in Port-au-Prince. Speaking on Friday he said:

“Four days have passed since the earthquake in Haiti and hopes of finding people alive under the rubble are beginning to fade. Nevertheless, there are bits of good news. Twenty people were just pulled out of a hotel. The searching continues.

“We will visit churches that have collapsed to see what help we can provide in rescuing people. There are so many buildings that have collapsed it is difficult to know where to start. Rebuilding Port-au-Prince will be a mammoth task. The international community will have to work together on a plan that saves this country from its misery.

“We identified distribution points for Caritas aid. In the evening, we visited the distribution places with the Nuncio and the Vice-President of the Haitian Bishops Conference. Some of the shelter centres contain 5000 people, and even the smaller ones will pose challenges in making sure people receive aid.

“The Bishops Conference of Haiti released a radio message on Friday evening calling on the people to maintain hope and strength. In the middle of this poverty, pain and suffering we are surprised by the many gestures of solidarity and support we are receiving from ordinary people around the world.”

Joseph Jonidès Villarson, Caritas Haiti Head of Emergencies said:

“The streets and public places are filled with people who do not know where to go. We fear violence if the situation continues. Caritas Haiti President Bishop Pierre André Dumas has appealed on the radio for calm and solidarity. The immediate needs are for tents for provisional shelters, covers, clothing, clean water, food, psychological support, first aid materials, drugs, flashlights and batteries.”