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Helping the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake

Two hundred donors from the greater Minneapolis are have contributed more than $40,000 to the Haiti Relief Fund through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an overseas partner of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.

JDC continues to collect donations and provide support on the ground in Haiti. Please read more below about their efforts and how you can help make a difference!


HOW YOU CAN HELP:
The Minneapolis Jewish Federation is partnering with its overseas partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), to provide urgently needed aid and relief on a nonsectarian basis to victims of the devastating earthquake. Click here to give.

JDC affirms that 100% of funds donated through this emergency collection effort will be spent on Haiti relief.

BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, January 12, a powerful earthquake battered the Caribbean nation of Haiti, devastating the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Thousands are feared dead from the immediate impact, with thousands more injured and an estimated 3 million Haitians may face hardship in the aftermath.

HOW FEDERATION RELIEF FUNDS ARE HELPING HAITI:
In partnership with JDC, The Jewish Federations of North America are meeting short-term emergency needs in Haiti by:

  • Mobilizing the Federations to raise funds and encouraging them to open local emergency mailboxes;
  • Providing Federations with e-philanthropy tools to raise money for Haiti;
    Convening the Coalition of Jewish Disaster Relief to ensure coordination and cooperation, to maximize our impact, to ensure we meet medium-term and long-term needs and to avoid duplication of efforts;
  • Funding the Israel Defense Forces field hospital, the first portable medical facility operational in Haiti. This facility includes 120 personnel: physicians, surgeons, obstetricians, nurses and others. Federations purchased medical equipment including infant incubators for a neonatal unit and orthopedic devices to support the IDF Medical Corps.;  
  • Working with Heart-to-Heart International, a U.S. non-governmental organization, to provide emergency medical assistance, equipment and other services;
  • Exploring partnerships with other organizations in Haiti;
  • Working with IsraAID, which sent 15 members to Haiti to help with Operation Blessing, an effort funded by the American Jewish Committee and several Federations. An additional dozen people are expected in Haiti shortly;
  • Working with USAID and Interaction to send additional medical personnel and supplies to Haiti;
  • Coordinating with HIAS on immigrant protection issues for Haitians who are currently in the process of deportation;
  • Working with the National Association of Jewish Chaplains to mobilize chaplains trained in disaster spiritual care and partnering with the American Red Cross for deployment.

ONLINE COVERAGE:

SIDEBAR

The History of Haiti's Jews:

A Jewish presence in Haiti dates back to 1492; the interpreter on Christopher Columbus’ ship was Luis de Torres, a Converso. Today, Haiti’s Jewish population is approximately 25, centered around Port-au-Prince, the earthquake epicenter. Haiti and Israel have full diplomatic relations.