How to Support and Discuss Haiti

This past weekend, Haiti was struck by an earthquake. Over 1,900 deaths have been reported so far and thousands more are injured. Tropical Storm Grace hit Monday night, adding to the devastation, delaying search and rescue efforts, and overwhelming hospitals that were already crowded. Sadly, as search and rescue operations resume, the death toll is expected to rise.

How You Can Help

On top of the struggles that already existed in Haiti including the COVID-19 pandemic, violence from gangs, increasing poverty levels, and the recent assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haitians are now also grappling with injuries, homelessness, flash floods, mudslides, and the loss of loved ones as a result of the earthquake and storm. Haitians need our help. Here are some organizations providing aid in Haiti:

• Canadian Red Cross
• UNICEF
• World Vision
• MCC

How to Approach the Topic of Haiti in the Classroom

Seeing, hearing, and reading about natural disasters can be distressing. Here are a few tips for discussing what’s happening in Haiti with your students:

• Give students the opportunity to express their concerns and encourage them to ask questions.
• Be a good listener and acknowledge how they feel.
• Take action and do something positive together like making a donation, organizing a fundraiser, or writing an article that will raise awareness and that can be shared with students’ family and friends.
• Take some time together to learn about Haiti’s history and culture.

Teachers, do you have other ways that we can help Haiti or other ideas for discussing Haiti in the classroom? Please let us know in the comments below.