An Urgent Message to Friends of Fonkoze Regarding the Earthquake

An Urgent Message to Friends of Fonkoze Regarding the Earthquake


Dear Friend of Fonkoze,

Naturally, all of us who care about Fonkoze and Haiti were alarmed to hear about the tragic earthquake that struck just before 5pm EST yesterday, and wondering what was happening and how we could help. We are writing this message to share what we know and will update it frequently. Thanks to all of you who have sent messages of support and donations already.

We have limited information but here is what we know. Anne Hastings and all of her head office staff are alive, and we have no reports of any staff being killed outside of Port au Prince at this time. However, we have heard that some family members of Fonkoze staff have been killed. We do not have any reliable information on borrowers and their family members, but we imagine that there has been some loss of life, injuries and homes and businesses being destroyed. One staff member of Fonkoze USA is in Haiti now and was hurt and there may be a need to evacuate her. If anyone has a way to do that, please contact Lyla Leigh at the Fonkoze USA office.

We are confident that our partners in Haiti will have new financing needs arising from this catastrophe, and we are urging everyone to make an additional donation to our "Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Fund" today. This can be done through our website or by sending in checks with notations that it is for this purpose.

Please let your friends, family, church members, and other associates know of the needs in Haiti and that there are ways to help, most tangibly by making a donation to the Fonkoze USA "Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Fund" today. And keep our courageous staff and clients in your thoughts and prayers - those help too!

Check this website for updates - it is our intention to provide new information several times each day, at least for the immediate future.

Sincerely,

Alex Counts, Chair, Fonkoze USA

John Mercier, President, Fonkoze USA