FIU Haiti Relief Efforts


nl-2-hurricane-matthewIn the past week we have seen the unimaginable devastation that Hurricane Matthew has caused in Haiti and other areas in the Caribbean. As an FIU family, we join our Haitian family and neighbors in mourning the hundreds of lives lost and the millions more who have survived but face tremendous challenges in recovering and rebuilding. During these difficult times, we will once again join in solidarity with Haiti and do our part to help in relief and recovery efforts.

Many students, faculty, staff and alumni have been directly impacted by Hurricane Matthew. We are working with the members of the university community from Haiti or who have family in Haiti or other areas of the Caribbean who were affected by the storm. We encourage our students who have been affected by this storm to visit Counseling and Psychological Services. Also, students can learn more about the Dean of Students Office and other campus support services by visiting pantherscare.fiu.edu.

We also have heard from many members of the FIU family who want to help. Here at FIU, the Haitian Student Organization (HSO) and Caribbean Students Association (CSA) have launched relief efforts.

The Haitian Student Organization is collecting items in DM 353 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, until Tuesday, Nov. 22. All donations will be taken directly to affected areas in Jacmel, Haiti.

The Caribbean Students Association is hosting a relief drive until Thursday, Oct. 27. Supplies can be dropped off during the organization’s general body meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 in GC 140. CSA is working with the Florida Caribbean Students Association to deliver the items to Haiti.

The items the organizations are collecting include canned food, clothing/shoes, toiletries, blankets, pillows, batteries and flashlights. Please reach out to HSO at hso.fiu@gmail.com or CSA at csafiu@gmail.com for more information.

We also are participating in a task force made up of elected officials and community leaders known as the South Florida Haiti Relief Group, led by Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime. The group is focusing on three areas: health, education and small business recovery (primarily farmers and “mom and pop” operations). The group has asked that donations for these relief efforts be sent to Sant La, the Haitian Neighborhood Center. Donations should be made payable to “Sant La for South Florida Haiti Relief Group” and mailed to 5000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33137. Credit card donations may also be made through Sant La via PayPal. To give by using a cell phone, text HAITI to 52000.

Donations are tax-deductible and will be directed exclusively to relief efforts in Haiti. Sant La will provide a full accounting of funds collected and distributed.

The South Florida Haiti Relief Group also is planning to hold a relief concert by the end of October. Please stay tuned for more information.

Thank you for keeping Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. Our FIU family cares. We can make a difference and that is why we know that you will do your part.