YMCA of the USA is deeply saddened and aggrieved by the tragic earthquake in Haiti.  The Haitian people are suffering a crisis of a magnitude no one can comprehend. The evening of the earthquake, Gwenael Apollon, General Secretary of the Haiti YMCA, reported that he, his family, and YMCA staff survived, but that YMCA operations have been severely impacted.  

The global YMCA movement is responding in a coordinated effort to address the immediate needs of the children, families and devastated communities in Port au Prince, and surrounding areas through financial support. Working in collaboration with the Red Cross, Action Churches Together and other relief and emergency agencies, YMCAs around the world are responding to the urgent basic needs of those displaced by providing food, water, medicines, blankets; and in the longer term, care and psycho-social counseling.  In addition, the Dominican Republic YMCA and the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, with support from the global YMCA movement, is planning to deliver critical supplies and support to those impacted. Beyond these immediate efforts, the YMCA will also evaluate the long-term needs for the impacted communities to ensure the security and stability of children, youth and families of Haiti.  

If you would like to support our efforts in Haiti, please donate to YMCA World Service by clicking here or by calling the YMCA of the USA International Group at (800) 872-9622. (Please note: When donating online, it is important to specify “Haiti Earthquake Support” in the “Comments/special instructions” box at the bottom of the online donation page to ensure immediate designation of your contribution.)

To contribute by mail, please send a check (payable to YMCA World Service with “Haiti Earthquake Support” noted in the memo line) to YMCA of the USA, attention YMCA World Service, 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Updates on the YMCA’s efforts will be posted as they become available.  For more information, please contact the YMCA of the USA International Group at (800) 872-9622. We ask for your support, hope and prayers for the Haiti YMCA and the people of Haiti.

Sincerely,
Selma Zaidi
Vice President, International Group
YMCA of the USA