As you have likely heard in news outlets, on Tuesday just before 5 pm, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Haiti that caused major loss of life and destruction, especially around the capital of Port-au-Prince. As a result, many have inquired about the artisans from Haiti and their families, asking what one can do to help.

Regarding our artisans from CAH (Comite Artisanal Haitien), we have heard from Gisele. She is okay. She described the environment as chaos and says that the fence walls around CAH have fallen down. Giselle indicates that some cell phones are beginning to operate, but internet is sporadic. She is in the process of contacting artisans and has learned that the homes of two artisans have been destroyed. She ended with, "Thanks for caring and keeping us in your prayers!"

We are still working on contacting Caribbean Crafts.

Following is a note from our Artisan Development Specialist, Kathleen Campbell:

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your work to respond to the many inquiries that you have received, and will continue to receive, about how Ten Thousand Villages is supporting Caribbean Craft and Comite Artisanal Haitien following yesterday's earthquake in Haiti.

Please continue to communicate the entire organization's appreciation for the concern and generosity that so many people are expressing.

At this time, we are working to make initial contact with both groups. After that, it typically takes several weeks for organizations to get through the initial survival effort, begin to clean up, and then assess how they will move forward. It is typically in this third step that Ten Thousand Villages has been able to offer support through the Artisan Special Needs funds.

Kathleen Campbell