Une pensée pour tout ceux qui souffrent en Haïti…

and a bit of information for people seeking help

The Haitian community is a strong, vibrant, and important part of Massachusetts. With the third largest Haitian population in the country, and over 14,000 Haitian-born immigrants just in Boston, the pain and the devastation caused by Tuesday’s earthquake has reverberated throughout and affected all of us.

Committed to developing a concerted response, State Representatives Linda Dorcena Forry and Marie St. Fleur, Catholic Charities and Haitian community organizations hosted an information meeting on the relief effort. Many dignitaries, including Consul General of Haiti Emmanuelle Dupiton, Governor Patrick, Senator Kerry, and Mayor Menino were in attendance. Their message was simple: we have little information, but we are pledging to support you and the recovery in Haiti.

Until more information becomes available, here are some important resources available now for anyone seeking help to find loved ones in Haiti:

The International Committee of the Red Cross has set up a special website to facilitate contact between family members

Mayor Menino and other organizations have set up a Referral and Support Center at the SEIU Local 1199 Office Center located at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester (next to the JFK Red Line station). The Center will provide phone lines and computer access to anyone seeking to connect with family and friends in Haiti and will operate from 9am until 9pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Translators will be available along with counseling support and assistance linking to services.

The Patrick Administration is also coordinating support services through the Office for Refugees and Immigrants.You may contact United Way’s Mass 211 (dial 2-1-1) for information and referral.

We will continue to update this content as more information becomes available.