It has been three days since Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti. Aerial assessments confirm heartbreaking destruction across the southern peninsula, with some coastal towns completely destroyed. Flattened homes, decimated infrastructure, and near complete destruction of agriculture remain in the hurricane’s wake.

Reaching victims remains the priority because the only bridge connecting the capital city of Port-au-Prince to the worst hit areas in the southern peninsula was destroyed. Food insecurity and water contamination are of greatest concern. Farmers lost the harvest they would have had this month, and with that both subsistence and income for their families. A resurgence of cholera is feared as clean water supplies diminish.


Photo courtesy of Tim Schandorff, Mission Aviation Fellowship

Heartline Ministries and partners Christian Veterinary Mission and Mission Aviation Fellowship have been hard at work assessing needs, making plans, and delivering food and emergency supplies. Yesterday a Heartline team reached Les Cayes, one of the worst affected coastal towns. After a difficult river crossing, the team delivered food, tarps, and tools/hardware for clearing debris. The assessed priority needs are food, water purification tablets, tarps and other temporary shelter materials, roofing materials, and debris removal tools. Heartline is making preparations for a return trip to Les Cayes with more emergency supplies this weekend.

Heartline has been in contact with nearly all children and families who participate in ongoing programs, as well as Heartline staff. There are at least 20 families who lost everything in the wake of the hurricane. Heartline is assessing their needs and will help them rebuild their homes and livelihoods.


Heartline team loading up supplies headed for heavily hit coastal town Les Cayes

Christian Veterinary Mission has coordinated the delivery of water purification tablets, human and veterinary medications, and other relief supplies to various affected communities where they work with local farmers. CVM will deliver a large supply of water purification tablets and other supplies to coastal town Port Salut and others tomorrow. For just $25, a total of 750 gallons of water can be treated with the tablets Heartline has sourced. CVM will also provide expert veterinary care and disease prevention to the livestock of subsistence farmers whose livelihoods depend on productive animals.

Mission Aviation Fellowship airplanes have conducted extensive damage assessments and delivered food/relief supplies and emergency aid workers throughout the southern peninsula.

Heartline and partners are committed to purchasing all food and supplies locally. The only exception will be items such as tarps whose local supply will soon be exhausted.

Thank you for your contribution to the Hurricane Matthew Relief Fund. We are halfway to our goal of raising $25,000 to provide critical relief aid in partnership with trusted indigenous groups to vulnerable children and families. We are very grateful for your support, which is providing help where it’s most needed. 

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