Today, I wanted to share with you some difficult news about our partners in Haiti, as I know you have a heart for our ministry there.
In the very early hours of Saturday morning, a gigantic storm in the mountains of western Haiti caused a massive flash flood. When a nearby river overflowed its banks, it engulfed the city of Léogâne and our partner Hôpital St. Croix (HSC). The entire city flooded, the waters reaching nearly 8 feet in some areas. Most residents barely had time to climb to their roofs for safety and most have lost all their possessions.
At HSC, emergency protocols were activated to protect and care for the patients: the night nursing staff evacuated the patients and the neonatal nursery to the hallways of the second floor of the hospital, which is typically used as a guest house for visiting doctors and teams.
All of the patient care areas, diagnostic services and administration offices located on the main floor of the hospital received 4 – 6 feet of water. The pharmacy, lab, OR, radiology, neonatal nursery, OB, and patient wards were flooded with mud, and most supplies and equipment are a total loss.
While many were killed in the flooding, no one on the staff of HSC was killed or injured. We praise God for this miracle.
HSC and Léogâne need your prayers.
Pray for the patients who have been evacuated to the second floor. Understandably, they were traumatized and there is a higher risk for the spread of infection since the patients are in very close proximity. Pray too for the neonatal patients who are most at risk.
Pray for the staff of HSC who are working through this tragedy. As cleanup at the hospital begins, many are also dealing with a complete loss of their own home and belongings. Pray for God’s strength and provision.
Pray that God will provide for HSC. Thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals were lost in the sudden flooding.
Pray that God will provide food and water to the people of Léogâne. At a time when basic essentials are already hard to find and inflation has driven up prices, the flood has further complicated the supply of food and water.
Despite this recent natural disaster (which was followed on Tuesday by a nearby 4.7 magnitude earthquake), our partners at HSC continue to heal the sick and share the Gospel. Keep them in your prayers as they continue the cleanup and assess the damage caused by this flash flood. You can see video of the flood as it was occurring and the subsequent cleanup on our website. As HSC begins itemizing needs, we will also include information on ways you can help.
We will keep you informed of developments in the coming days and weeks. Thank you for your heart for Haiti.
Blessings,
Christopher Petkovich
Director of Partner Engagement for the Southeast Region
