Federation’s Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund
Raises Over $350,000

In response to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has raised over $350,000 to aid the victims through our Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund. 100% of the money raised is being disbursed to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), American Jewish World Service, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, and IsraAID (the coordinating body of Israeli charities devoted to global relief work) to provide essential relief, food and medical supplies on the ground.

“We are grateful, yet not surprised, by this tremendous outpouring of support on behalf of the people of Haiti,” said Jay Sanderson, President of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. “Our Jewish community always steps up and comes through in times of crisis. They know the Federation maximizes the impact of their donation by ensuring that the most critical needs are being effectively met.”

Examples of the life-saving work made possible through the support of The Jewish Federation’s Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund include:

• Israel Defense Forces field hospital in Port-au-Prince equipped with high-demand orthopedic devices and infant incubators for its neonatal unit. It was operational just 10 hours after the earthquake. A first-time mother named her new son “Israel.” This facility has the capacity to treat up to 500 patients per day and includes 120 medical personnel who are saving lives and administering vital medical care. (Click here for video.)
• Emergency medical assistance, equipment and other services with Heart-to-Heart International.
• A hospital-based feeding program through EcoWorks International.
• Several water supply projects providing clean, potable water in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding community.
• Relief work throughout Haiti in cities such as Jacmel, about 100 miles southeast of Port-au-Prince, where the earthquake destroyed 40 percent of homes.
• Shipping a container of mattresses for the displaced, as well as much-needed medical supplies, to a well-respected local non-governmental organization called Zanmi Lasante (Partners in Health).
• Coordination of the delivery of significant aid from the Dominican Republic with grass roots organizations.
• Partnership with the International Medical Corps for emergency rescue and with the community-based Lambi Fund to provide agriculture and food assistance programs.

The impact of Federation-supported work will be felt long after images of the devastation disappear from the news as an estimated 3 million Haitians face hardship in the aftermath. Our coalition of partners on the ground is conducting a full and rapid assessment of the situation and is allocating funds for intermediate and long-term rebuilding and reconstruction programs. The goal is to achieve sustainable improvements in health, education, and employment for the most vulnerable populations. The coalition will maintain contact and coordination with partners on the ground in Haiti, the White House, Department of State, Israeli relief agencies and the United Nations.

Donations to The Jewish Federation’s Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund are still being accepted and individuals can contribute online, by phone at (323) 761-8413, or by mail: The Jewish Federation – Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund, 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste. 1000, Los Angeles, California, 90048.

Only The Jewish Federation is uniquely able to leverage the strength of community in order to build Jewish identity through engagement and education, help those in need, meet the needs of the greater community and ensure the Jewish future in Los Angeles, Israel and over 50 countries worldwide.