January 15, 2010
Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts
Dear University of Hartford Community Member,
As you are aware devastating earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti in the late
afternoon of Tuesday, January 12th. The earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.0 has done
irreparable damage to Haiti, specifically to its capital city Port-au-Prince. A large majority of
country’s infrastructure is completely destroyed; including homes, hospitals, schools, the Haitian
United Nations headquarters and more. The death count is currently at 100,000 and is quickly
rising. Aftershocks continue to plague the country, continuing the cycle of destruction and death.
To make matters worse, Haiti is considered to be the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Eighty percent of its population lives under the poverty line and over half, 54% are living in
abject poverty. Most Haitians rely on the agricultural sector to survive, which subsequently has
been completely eliminated due to the recent earthquake. Therefore, in addition to its already
susceptible and vulnerable state, this massive earthquake has completely immobilized Haiti.
Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting
solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more
than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social
justice. Due to this international crisis, Oxfam America has set up a specific Haiti Earthquake
Response Fund toward relief work in Haiti. More information about the Oxfam initiative can be
found at https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3560&3560.donation=form1.
The University of Hartford and the Center for Community Service encourage you to please
consider donating to the Oxfam Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. Any amount you are able to
donate will greatly help. Please make all donations in check or money order form, payable to the
Center for Community Service/Oxfam. We will be accepting donations at the Center for
Community Service located in GSU 209, until February 19th. Thank you for your time and we
appreciate any help that you can offer.
Sincerely,
Center for Community Service
200 Bloomfield Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
P: (860) 768-5409
F: (860) 768- 4247
ccs@hartford.edu
http://www.hartford.edu/communityservice/