News: Chemonics’ Response to the Earthquake in Haiti

Chemonics and its staff around the world have been deeply affected by the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti. We are so thankful that all of our project staff, Haitian and expatriate, are safe and well. At the same time, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of so many lives, including family members and close friends of our staff.

Chemonics currently has two projects and more than 60 staff in Haiti, and our project teams have already begun to play an active role in relief and recovery efforts. Working in close collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Food Program, and other organizations, Chemonics teams distributed food and water to more than 20,000 people in Port-au-Prince suburbs in the weekend following the earthquake. Out of respect for the urgency of their work, we ask that media representatives do not contact our staff in Haiti to request interviews. All media inquiries should be directed to media@chemonics.com.

Chemonics would like to thank our many colleagues, former staff, friends, and supporters from around the world who have contacted us with expressions of concern and support. To support our project staff, Chemonics has established the Haiti Staff Fund. All donations to the Chemonics Haiti Staff Fund, which are not tax deductible, will go toward supporting our project teams. If you have questions about the Haiti Staff Fund or would like to make a donation, please email HaitiStaffFund@chemonics.com.

We also have been contacted by disaster-relief specialists and organizations that want to contribute to the rebuilding effort. We ask that all parties interested in contributing to the reconstruction effort send us an email at HaitiEarthquakeResponse@chemonics.com with a short statement on your disaster-relief experience. We also encourage those interested in making financial contributions to relief efforts to visit USAID’s website at www.usaid.gov/haiti/ for more information on making donations.

We are grateful that all of our staff in Haiti are safe, and we know that our efforts in the reconstruction, in collaboration with USAID, will only expand in the days and months to come. We will share more stories of hope and recovery as they develop. Please keep everyone affected by the earthquake in your thoughts and prayers.