Haiti - letter from American Friends Service Committee

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I'm glad to report that AFSC's assessment team arrived safely in Haiti earlier this
week. They have been visiting sites where AFSC's initial response of medical and
shelter supplies and food are being distributed. They are visiting informal
"neighborhood shelters" and talking with people who are now homeless after the
earthquake, as well as meeting international and local Haitian organizations to
identify where AFSC's expertise can best be used long term.

Our staff report that the city is surprisingly calm, the damage to the
infrastructure and government is immense, and many residents are resiliently
continuing normal daily life among the rubble. Traffic is heavy and slow moving, so
cars can avoid people living on the street. People are sleeping under the open sky
or in tents and remain afraid of sleeping indoors. Those who can are giving tent
space in their yards.

AFSC's initial funds of $100,000 for immediate aid have been gratefully received.
With $50,000 from AFSC, Swiss Interchurch Aid is providing 10,000 meals in three of
the most needy neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. Our second disbursement of $50,000
helped transport supplies with Handicap International: about $3,000 for medical
freight shipment and $47,000 for emergency shelter kits that include blankets,
plastic sheeting, ropes, mats, water filters, 15 liter Jerrycans, and cooking sets.

The assessment team will spend a few more days in Haiti and they expect to bring
back ideas for AFSC to consider for next steps in Haiti.

In addition to our direct response in Haiti, the Service Committee is helping
immigrants, particularly in the Miami and New York metropolitan area. Both
locations have significant numbers of Haitians who, under President Obama's recent
decision, now quality for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for up to 18 months.
Haitians who resided in the United States as of January 12, 2010, and whose
paperwork is approve will be protected from detention and deportation, and they can
obtain employment authorization.

Since the announcement of TPS for Haitians, AFSC staff have "spread the word,"
offering up-to-date and accurate information to immigrants via the media, a
Creole-language radio show, and community meetings. This is particularly important
since we have heard reports of many attempts to defraud Haitians attempting to file
TPS applications. AFSC volunteers and staff are already processing applications and
fielding questions.

We will continue to send updates on AFSC's Haiti response. Meanwhile, I encourage
you to check our website at www.afsc.org/haiti and to make financial contributions
as you are able.
http://support.afsc.org/site/R?i=LMrizW_uFXws2RU5gsG3eQ..

Please join with me in holding all in Haiti and in the Haitian diaspora in the Light.

Sincerely,
Mary Ellen McNish
General Secretary, AFSC

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