Wills Transfer donates to Fonkoze supporting Haiti after the August 2021 earthquakes
Who is Fonkoze?
Fonkoze is an acronym for the Haitian Creole phrase “Fondasyon Kole Zepòl” meaning “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” Their mission: To empower Haitians, primarily women, with financial and development services to lift themselves out of poverty. Additionally, supporting Haiti through Fonkoze is something Wills Transfer has done in the past, through Pathway to a Better Life Program
The August 2021 devastating earthquakes struck Haiti’s southern peninsula killing 2207 and leaving 320 missing. There were 12268 injuries, 52953 houses destroyed and another 77006 damaged. Not to mention, gone were the crops and the livestock used to sustain Fonkoze members from poverty. Without crops and livestock many Haitians, particularly women, have no financial means to support themselves and their families.
Soon after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, came a Tropical Depression named Grace. Grace moved across the southern coast of Hispaniola, the island comprising Haiti and the Dominican Republic, bringing with it sustained winds and heavy rain to the already broken region. Blocked roads and wrecked infrastructure made it difficult for vital supplies to reach those who had already lost everything.
Aftershocks
At least 900 aftershocks were recorded following the primary earthquake. The below chart represents the magnitude and timeline over a 2-day period for those 5.0 magnitude and over.
For a small country like Haiti, the destruction and devastation of these types of events can linger for years. Fonkoze provided additional support to their clients and the Haitian communities through donations from companies like Wills Transfer.
The immediate response by Fonkoze was to jumpstart the local economy, distribute hygiene kits, replenish crop supplies and the livestock that support the Fonkoze members. Next, they provided loans to those most needing and dismissed loans, on a case-by-case basis, for those who lost everything. They offered psychosocial support and recognized the extreme trauma the Haitians were again experiencing. Lastly, through donations like ours, Fonkoze was able to deliver Shoulder-to-Shoulder support to their staff members who were overwhelmed from helping others during this crisis.
To learn more about supporting Haiti through Fonkoze or the people of Haiti, please visit https://fonkoze.org/earthquake-august-2021
