On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, causing massive destruction and loss of life in the worst natural disaster that the country has experienced in over 200 years. The earthquake created widespread, catastrophic damage, and up to 230,000 people have died. The long-term impact of the earthquake in Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere, is staggering. At least 3 million people, nearly one-third of Haiti's entire population, were affected, either through injuries, lost homes, or lost jobs. Much of Port-au-Prince is in ruins and it will take years, if not decades, to rebuild. The earthquake has caused massive displacement, homelessness, food and water shortages, and poor access to health services in Port-au-Prince and other hard hit areas, and as a result, people began fleeing the capital city to seek refuge in other parts of the country. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of people who have left Port-au-Prince, according to Government of Haiti estimates, a... moreOn January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, causing massive destruction and loss of life in the worst natural disaster that the country has experienced in over 200 years. The earthquake created widespread, catastrophic damage, and up to 230,000 people have died. The long-term impact of the earthquake in Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere, is staggering. At least 3 million people, nearly one-third of Haiti's entire population, were affected, either through injuries, lost homes, or lost jobs. Much of Port-au-Prince is in ruins and it will take years, if not decades, to rebuild. The earthquake has caused massive displacement, homelessness, food and water shortages, and poor access to health services in Port-au-Prince and other hard hit areas, and as a result, people began fleeing the capital city to seek refuge in other parts of the country. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of people who have left Port-au-Prince, according to Government of Haiti estimates, an estimated 1 million remain displaced within the greater Port-au-Prince area. With large numbers of people homeless and crowded into temporary shelters or tents, there is danger of the spread of serious illnesses. The world's attention is on Haiti and offers the opportunity to rebuild basic services in the country in ways that will enable it to better serve its people. Tens of thousands of Haitian children have lost their schools, their homes, and close family members. Sadly, many children were orphaned by the earthquake, and in a country that was already the poorest in Western Hemisphere, the futures of these children in particular are going to be very difficult. PIH is committed to meeting the needs of children in Haiti.

Among the thousands of buildings throughout Port-au-Prince that were damaged by the earthquake was one of the busiest medical facilities in the city: the General Hospital. Living in one of the wards within the hospital's pediatric unit were 48 children ranging from two weeks to 21 years old, some without parents, many living with either physical or developmental disabilities. In the aftermath of the quake, it was clear that these unaccompanied, vulnerable children could not remain at the damaged and over-crowded General Hospital, so the hospital's medical director contacted PIH to help find the children a new home. In response to this request, PIH has launched a new program for unaccompanied and disabled children in the capital city, called Zanmi Beni, meaning, “Blessed Friends" in Haitian Creole. PIH/ZL facilitated the children's move to this new long-term care facility for the children in just outside of Port-au-Prince. An experienced staff of 75 locally-hired physical therapists, occupational ther... moreAmong the thousands of buildings throughout Port-au-Prince that were damaged by the earthquake was one of the busiest medical facilities in the city: the General Hospital. Living in one of the wards within the hospital's pediatric unit were 48 children ranging from two weeks to 21 years old, some without parents, many living with either physical or developmental disabilities. In the aftermath of the quake, it was clear that these unaccompanied, vulnerable children could not remain at the damaged and over-crowded General Hospital, so the hospital's medical director contacted PIH to help find the children a new home. In response to this request, PIH has launched a new program for unaccompanied and disabled children in the capital city, called Zanmi Beni, meaning, “Blessed Friends" in Haitian Creole. PIH/ZL facilitated the children's move to this new long-term care facility for the children in just outside of Port-au-Prince. An experienced staff of 75 locally-hired physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, teachers, cooks, cleaners, and community health workers care for the children around the clock. With safe and sunny wards, books and toys, and an expansive space to run and play on a tranquil campus planted with 85 fruit trees, the children are happily flourishing. Some of the children who were once bedridden are now walking--they simply needed an opportunity to try and a bit of undivided attention to help them take their first steps. Other children are able to study their lessons in a small schoolroom inside of a tent. Zanmi Beni will provide the children with ongoing comprehensive educational, emotional, and psychosocial support and will have access to a broad range of educational, developmental, and recreational tools that foster his or her learning and development--including a swimming pool for physical therapy. In addition, pet guinea pigs, goats, chickens, doves, a kitten named Mimi, and a puppy named Fani help make Zanmi Beni a home.