Like thousands of others across the nation, I took a moment this past Saturday to pause and reflect on the three-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010.
At a time when the strength of family is vital, the separation of families after any natural disaster is heartbreaking. In the aftermath of the earthquake, LIRS was a leading voice advocating for the speedy reunification of Haitian families. We also successfully called for temporary protected status for Haitians in the United States, providing protection and work authorization to thousands. More recently, our experiences standing with Haitians informed the creation of Disaster Preparedness in Migrant Communities – A Manual for First Responders.
As Haiti continues the work of rebuilding, our work continues also. Though we’ve seen success in standing with many of those affected by the earthquake, too many Haitian families remain separated from their loved ones. We are also dismayed at the continuation of deportations to Haiti during a severe humanitarian crisis.
LIRS will continue calling for justice and family unity for all migrants and refugees in 2013. Please honor Haiti by praying for those impacted by the earthquake and by joining us in our work to Stand for Welcome.
