< Back to all Press releases

International Relief Teams Provides Emergency Shelter Supplies to Haiti Earthquake Victims

August 17, 2021
Press Release

August 17, 2021 - San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is sending urgently needed shelter supplies to families in Haiti following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the impoverished island nation on Saturday, August 14.

Officials are reporting at least 1,300 people are dead, 5,500 people are injured and more than 30,000 families have been left homeless on Haiti’s southern peninsula, the epicenter of the earthquake.

While its nonprofit relief partners focus on providing food, water and medicines, IRT is rushing more than 4,400 tarps to protect families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake. Families who lost everything are sleeping in open fields in the grueling tropical heat.

“This is only the beginning of a very long recovery process for the people of Haiti. Thousands of families are now homeless and need temporary shelter to help them survive. We are sending tarps because they are an invaluable and versatile emergency supply during disasters like this. The tarps will allow families to make damaged homes more livable and provide protection from the elements for families who are homeless,” said Barry La Forgia, International Relief Teams’ Executive Director.

This tragedy comes at a time when the country is facing a multitude of crises: political upheaval following the assassination of the prime minister, food insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, gang violence and Tropical Depression Grace.

Donations to support International Relief Teams’ earthquake response in Haiti can be made online here: https://www.irteams.org/donate/haiti-earthquake-2021

International Relief Teams has been responding to disasters in Haiti since 2008. Following the 7.0 earthquake in 2010 that killed an estimated 200,000 people, IRT volunteer medical teams treated hundreds of patients, supplied $1.3 million in medicines and medical supplies, provided more than 100,000 meals to victims, and other emergency activities for the following three years to help the country rebuild and recover.

International Relief Teams alleviates the suffering caused by poverty and disaster around the globe, from the forgotten corners of the world to right here at home, by sending volunteer teams and medical supplies to make immediate change for the world’s most vulnerable people. For more information visit: http://www.irteams.org. Also, see us on Facebook.

Sign up to receive inspiring stories and learn how you can help.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form