Massive 7.2 Earthquake Strikes Near Area Hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016

AUGUST 14, 2021  Cincinnati, OH – Matthew 25: Ministries, a humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization headquartered in Cincinnati, OH is responding to the massive earthquake that struck southwest Haiti on Saturday, August 14. Initial reports indicate that major damage has occurred throughout the affected region, and the US Geological Survey said “high casualties are probable.” The 7.2 magnitude earthquake is a stronger magnitude than the devastating quake that struck Haiti in 2010.

Matthew 25: Ministries is working closely with partners on the ground to identify most urgent needs and to provide aid to the impacted areas. Matthew 25 has disaster supplies prepositioned in the area, ready for rapid initial response. Matthew 25 will be shipping additional relief supplies to the disaster region to support relief and recovery efforts, including personal care supplies, household and cleaning products, blankets and more. Matthew 25 will also be sending a team of medical professionals from their Haitian-run health center into the disaster region to help care for those affected.

Matthew 25: Ministries has worked to improve conditions in Haiti through shipments of humanitarian aid since 1998. After the historic earthquake in 2010, Matthew 25: Ministries increased its level of involvement in Haiti, shipping hundreds of containers of disaster relief and humanitarian aid, leading medical mission trips to assist with healthcare needs, supporting orphanages and creating programs to provide job opportunities, affordable healthcare and other services. In 2016, Matthew 25 responded to Hurricane Matthew, which hit this same region of Haiti.

Matthew 25 is requesting donations of the following types of items to supplement existing supplies, for restocking during their response to the Haiti Earthquke, and for future distributions:

• Monetary donations: Donate online or mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for Haiti Earthquake Relief will be used for the purpose intended)
• Cases of bottled water (12- and 24- count)
• Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion etc.
• Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves
• Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels
• Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion etc.
• First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs

Matthew 25 has responded to multiple disasters in 2021 including the winter storm in Texas, severe flooding in Kentucky, tornadoes across the South, the COVID surge in India and the St. Vincent volcano eruption. In addition to their disaster response work, Matthew 25 continues to provide COVID-19 relief throughout the U.S. as well as maintaining their ongoing work with the poorest of the poor worldwide. So far in 2021, Matthew 25: Ministries has distributed 10 million pounds of aid domestically and internationally.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities please visit their website or follow Matthew 25 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more in-depth information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts or to schedule an interview, please contact Joodi Archer joodi@m25m.org.

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts cash, credit card and online donations for ongoing humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs. Donors who would like to designate their financial gifts for the Haiti Earthquake may do so by writing “Haiti Earthquake” in the memo line of their check or by typing it in the “special purpose” field of our online giving form. Please mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242. 100% of donated funds designated for the Haiti Earthquake will be used for the purpose intended. Matthew 25 also welcomes volunteers six days a week at their Blue Ash facility.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 15,000,000 pounds of products each year and redistributes them to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 20,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world.  Matthew 25 is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Charities. Matthew 25 is also highly ranked among approximately 3,500 four-star charities on Charity Navigator. Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards.” For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Joodi Archer at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256, joodi@m25m.org, or visit www.m25m.org.