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Nature Canada is closely following developments in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake on January 12. Since 2007, we have been working with the Haiti Audubon Society and local leaders in the communities surrounding Macaya National Park, in western Haiti. We can now report that our Haiti Audubon Society partners are okay; additionally, we have learned that our project communities are fine and did not sustain damage. Nature Canada's immediate focus will be on determining how we can contribute to the reconstruction effort, particularly by helping the communities to adjust as resettlement from the most impacted areas occurs. |
January 14, 2010
Dear Friends,
By now you have probably read or heard that on Tuesday, January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. According to news reports, the quake has caused massive damage and loss of life throughout the country; hospitals, schools and homes were flattened and a nation-wide humanitarian crisis is unfolding.
Since 2007, Nature Canada has been working closely with the Haiti Audubon Society and local leaders in the communities surrounding Macaya National Park, in western Haiti. The Macaya Important Bird Area is a critical site for Canadian breeding birds including the Bicknell's Thrush. Together, with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency, we have implemented conservation and development projects that improve the lives of Haitians and encourage environmentally sustainable practices. This summer, for example, we helped the community of Formon renovate their school, furnish it and staff it with 8 teachers. Macaya National Park is located outside of the quake's primary zone of destruction, and the extent of damage in that region is unclear.
At present, we do not know the fate of many of the community volunteers and Haiti Audubon staff who were caught in the earthquake, but we hope to establish contact soon.
In the meantime, we are asking Nature Canada supporters to come to the aid of Haiti's earthquake victims. There are many options for those who wish to help. One is to contact Care Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec and Save the Children to make a donation at www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca.
Nature Canada's immediate priority is to reach our partners in Haiti and confirm their health and safety. In the coming days and weeks, we will gain a better understanding about how our conservation projects at Macaya National Park will proceed, and we will provide you with regular updates in our e-newsletter.
I want to express our heartfelt sympathy for the people of Haiti, and to pledge Nature Canada will do what it can to help the population through this horrible time. I also want to restate our commitment to continue the important work of improving the lives of Haiti's people and wildlife through the conservation and development projects begun in 2007.
Sincerely,
Ian Davidson
Executive Director, Nature Canada
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