Remembering the August 2021 Earthquake and Honoring Survivors

One year ago today, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern Haiti and changed the region forever. On this solemn anniversary, we remember the thousands of lives lost in this terrible tragedy: the friends, family, and neighbors whose memories we will never forget. We also honor the survivors who are still healing and rebuilding their lives amid this time of great uncertainty in Haiti.

It has been an honor and a privilege for all of us at HEI/SBH to accompany these survivors and the people of southern Haiti through our emergency response and recovery effort in the region. Together with our national and international partners, our hospital and mobile clinics provided life-saving care for over 100,000 survivors. We built the region’s only orthopedic surgery program to meet survivors’ unique needs, restored access to primary care in communities that lost their health centers, and absorbed patient loads from impacted hospitals.

Southern Haiti is our beloved home. As we mark this important day, we remain steadfast in our commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the region’s healthcare system. This long-term work will not only increase access to quality, affordable, and life-saving care, but also make southern Haiti more resilient to natural disasters and shocks in the future. We hope you will continue to walk alongside us and the people of Haiti as we continue this critical work.

Kenbe fèm,

Conor Shapiro
President and CEO
Health Equity International/St. Boniface Hospital