Haiti Earthquake 2021
On the morning of Saturday, August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern portion of Haiti. The tremor was felt across the island of Hispaniola and as far away as Jamaica. The earthquake resulted in more than 2,200 deaths, 12,200 injuries, and 650,000 in need of assistance according to reports, but we know there are many more that are still unreported. Homes, bridges, and roads collapsed – including a portion of the main road from Les Cayes to Jérémie. The bridge over the Grande-Anse River, at the entrance to Jérémie, is unpassable by truck, which has made Agape’s direct flights into Les Cayes and Jérémie essential to getting aid in the hands of people who need it.
This earthquake really “hit home” because Agape serves 100 affiliated missionary families who live in the region of Haiti where the quake leveled homes, hospitals, clinics and businesses. Some of the missionary compounds were destroyed or badly damaged, but the good news is, although shaken to the core, only a few of Agape’s missionary partners experienced injuries and received the treatment they needed.
The earthquake came at a time when Haiti is experiencing a multitude of humanitarian and political crises – COVID-19, a hunger crisis, political fallout, and the recent assassination of their President. On top of all of this, Haiti experienced a direct hit from Tropical Depression Grace overnight on August 16.
Because of you, Agape was poised to respond quickly – ensuring the first flight of relief was delivered on August 15, just before Grace swept through. Mission partners were extremely thankful for the tents and tarps on the flight as they themselves and the communities they serve rode out the storm outside of their homes – still in fear of aftershocks. Since that first relief flight, many hearts and hands have worked together to deliver hope, help, and healing to Haiti. Thank you!
// THANKS FROM THE FIELD //
“Thank you for the tarps! The orphanage took in other people and families and have over 50 people on site. The tarps helped build up this tent in anticipation of the storm. We also donated all the food we got, which was greatly needed ”
– Ashley Wojton, Agape Missionary Affiliate, Les Cayes, Haiti
Agape Flights 2021 Haiti Earthquake Response Report (8/14/21 – 10/14/21)
In response to the August 14th 7.2 magnitude Haiti earthquake, 747 donors (311 of which are first time donors
to Agape!) have contributed $403,477.61 to Agape’s Haiti Earthquake 2021 Relief Fund. This outpouring of
generosity allows us to listen to the needs, respond through logistical efforts, and deliver HOPE!
Thank you for helping us meet the challenge to deliver thousands of pounds of relief supplies through:
• Direct flights from our hangar in Venice, Florida >> Even in the midst of two tropical storms, Agape
was able to deliver 3,000 pounds of medical supplies, tarps, solar lights, food, and water merely 36 hours
following the earthquake. As of October 14, Agape had made 12 direct relief flights while maintaining
regular cargo and mail service to our mission partners.
• Contracted flights >> Agape contracted a freight forwarder to fly 41,252 lbs of requested relief supplies
to Haiti. Agape planes and pilots then shuttled the supplies to missionaries in Les Cayes and Jeremie – the
two hardest hit areas. This allowed for the most efficient use of Agape’s resources.
• Shuttle flights >> As of October 14, Agape planes and pilots made 29 shuttle flights. Agape’s aircraft and
pilots have been stationed several days at a time in Haiti to shuttle people, patients, and supplies collected
from other parts of the island. It’s been a beautiful story of God’s people working together – missionaries in
northern Haiti and the Dominican Republic collecting supplies, mission aviation groups working together,
and people doing whatever they can to help save lives.
• In country purchases >> Purchasing needed supplies in Haiti helps their economy and speeds the delivery
process to where it’s most critical. 283,000 lbs of rice, beans, cooking oil, and soap were purchased and
distributed in country, as well as $5,000 worth of medical supplies and medicines. Agape CEO, Allen Speer,
made two trips to assess needs, purchase items, help with distribution, and extend encouragement.
2021 Haiti Earthquake Fund Report (As of 10/14/2021)
Donations: $403,477.61
Expenses:
$216,860.22 – Transportation
$ 91,475.08 – Purchase of Provisions (medicine, medical supplies, rice, beans, cooking oil, soap)
$ 355.43 – Miscellaneous Supplies
$308,690.73 – Total Expenses
In the news:
- https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-sarasota-manatee/agape-flights-collects-relief-supplies-for-haiti-earthquake-victims
- https://www.mysuncoast.com/2021/08/21/agape-flights-ceo-gives-update-challenges-haiti/
- https://www.snntv.com/story/44541590/agape-flights-helping-deliver-relief-supplies-to-haiti
What makes Agape’s disaster relief response different?
It’s the ready-made distribution network of trusted mission partners who already live in the disaster area, know the culture, and meet every flight filled with critical supplies. It’s Agape’s long and reputable history of working within the country. It’s our pilots who personally know and care about the airport workers and custom officials they see every week for regular mission flights. It’s a stateside community who understands Agape will collect and deliver the exact supplies our mission partners tell us are most critical, and adjust the supply deliveries as the disaster response needs change. It’s a generous community who contributes financially to keep the planes flying and others who donate thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies. It’s a volunteer force who will not stop, and most of all, our God who connects His people and supplies every need in the most miraculous way.
Agape’s primary ministry focuses on week-to-week service to support affiliated mission partners. When disaster strikes the Caribbean, the core elements of Agape’s mission flight program go into high gear and expands to meet the critical need.
It’s what we do. We Listen. We Respond. We Deliver.
Long after the world has forgotten the disaster, Agape flights will still be there every week, just as we have been for 40 years.
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Through Christ, His people and aircraft, Agape Flights delivers love and hope, changing lives one flight at a time.