Grave Concern for Children Following 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake in Haiti

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 14, 2021) – A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck western Haiti on Saturday morning, reportedly causing serious casualties and damage to schools, buildings, roads and bridges. Save the Children is extremely concerned about the impact that the quake will have on children and families, many of whom were already experiencing extreme poverty, hunger and violence.

Save the Children has offices in Camp Perrin and Les Cayes and plans to respond.

Leila Bourahla, Save the Children’s Haiti Country Director said: “Staff in the region are seeing horrific devastation—dozens of collapsed houses, numerous injured people and fatalities. While it will take days to assess the full scale of the damage, it is clear that this is a massive humanitarian emergency. We must respond quickly and decisively. Children are always the worst affected and I am very concerned about their immediate safety.”

Save the Children has worked in Haiti since 1978, providing nutrition, early learning, and water and sanitation programs. The international humanitarian organization responded when Hurricane Matthew struck the same area in 2016, as well as following the 2010 earthquake. To learn more about our work and learn how you can help, visit www.savethechildren.org/Haiti. 

Donate to the Haiti Earthquake Crisit Relief Fund here.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.