Portland’s Haitian-American community has organized several fundraising vigils already, to raise funds for the devastated island country. After a 7.0 earthquake hit the island of Haiti earlier this week, humanitarian aid organizations have scrambled to send relief workers and supplies to help rescue survivors and begin the process of rebuilding.
One of those groups is Portland-based Mercy Corps, which has branches in disaster-struck countries around the world. According to Sylvia Ross with Mercy Corps Portland, the disaster has spurred the organization to start a field office in Haiti.
Locally, there are several vigils planned to support Portland’s Haitian community, and to fundraise for relief efforts in Haiti. Many of the members of Portland’s Haitian community have been unable to reach their relatives and friends in Haiti, and say they fear for the worst.
- KBOO