Baie de Henne / Olomouc – During the night from September 25 to 26, the Haitian area of Baie de Henne was hit by a devastating flood. This is a location where the Archdiocesan Charity of Olomouc has been active for a long time. Within a few hours, the water rose so high that it swept away most houses, destroyed crops, and left hundreds of families without a roof over their heads.

The disaster struck twice – first at night and then again in the morning. The second wave finished what the night wave had not, causing even more damage to homes and property. The local elementary school, which the charity has long supported, was spared thanks to its location on a rocky hill. However, most students lost their learning materials kept at home.

“The local people are in complete need. They require immediate help, especially clean drinking water, food, shelter, and medicine,” says Stanley Mertilien, Haitian coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.

The Archdiocesan Charity of Olomouc has been working in Baie de Henne for a long time, supporting the local community primarily through education. Thanks to cooperation with the local elementary school, children have the opportunity to learn in better conditions and gain a chance for a brighter future. However, the flood has seriously endangered this work, and many families are now in urgent need.

Personal testimony
Stanley Mertilien, teacher and coordinator of the Sponsorship Program, describes the horror of the night and morning: “The water came so quickly that we were barely able to save anything. In the morning it came again and finished what the night hadn’t. Children lost their school notebooks, families lost their homes. I have never experienced anything like this. We need help so that our school can reopen and children can continue their education.”

ACHO has therefore launched a fundraising campaign to help the flood victims. The collected funds will be used directly in the Baie de Henne area to purchase basic food, hygiene supplies, drinking water, tents, and to restore school classrooms and homes.

How to help
You can contribute to the Archdiocesan Charity of Olomouc fundraising account:

Account number: 43-9935450227/0100
Variable symbol: 99999
Collection name: Pomoc Haiti – povodeň