Timeline of Events
126 Children Arrive at SOS Children's Village - Santo in Haiti on February 17
February 19, 2010: When asked who her mother was by SOS Children's Villages staff in Santo, Haiti, the toddler pointed to the older girl next to her. That girl is 17-year-old Gisele, a traumatized teenager who can barely manage on her own.
Youth HandsOn Network and Hasbro, Inc. Create Nationwide PLAYATHON for Haiti
February 10, 2009: In the wake of the devastation caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti, Youth HandsOn Network and Hasbro, Inc. have joined together to create a nationwide fundraising initiative for kids – PLAYATHON for Haiti. This effort will benefit SOS Children's Villages in purchasing "pop-up" shelters for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Haiti.
Angelina Jolie Lifts Spirits at SOS Village Santo, Haiti
February 9, 2010: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie, visited SOS Children’s Village in Port-au-Prince. Jolie came to see exactly how SOS was responding to the devastating earthquake that has created tens of thousands of unaccompanied children. Taking care of 200 children without parental care before the earthquake, the SOS Village will now swell to at least 500 children with thousands more assisted in nearby Port-au-Prince communities.
Jordin Sparks Voices Support for SOS Children's Villages with Public Service Announcement
February 4, 2010: SOS Children's Villages, a global organization dedicated to the long-term care and prevention of orphaned and abandoned children, today announced that Grammy-nominated recording artist Jordin Sparks will be lending her voice.
Haitian Government Entrusts SOS Children's Villages with the Care of 33 Children - Alleged Victims of Child Trafficking
January 31, 2010: Late in the evening of January 29, the Haitian police arrested 10 U.S. citizens attempting to take 33 children from Haiti to the Dominican Republic in a suspected illicit adoption scheme, authorities said on Saturday. On January 30, the Haitian Social Ministry entrusted those 33 children (aged three months to 12 years) to the care of SOS Children's Villages. "But I am not an orphan," said an eight year old girl.
SOS Children's Villages Teams with UNICEF, the Dominican Red Cross, and Haiti Welfare Services to Help Children and Families
January 29, 2010: The emergency relief effort by SOS Children's Villages is reaching more children every day. Several existing SOS community centers have reopened with new centers launching to provide temporary care and basic supplies for unaccompanied children as needed.
Angelina Jolie Expresses Support of SOS Children's Villages as Orphan Crisis Escalates in Haiti
January 22, 2010: SOS Children's Villages is proud to count Angelina Jolie as one of its most dedicated supporters. In a statement this morning, Ms. Jolie said "As the Haiti situation unfolds, and we all focus on ways to help these desperate children - I ask you to please learn more about and consider supporting SOS Children's Villages."
SOS Children's Villages Urges Caution with Haiti Adoptions
January 22, 2010: In coordination with other relief organizations, SOS Children's Villages readies to provide temporary care for thousands of unaccompanied children. SOS joins with the UN and other non-governmental organizations to caution in removing children from their homeland. SOS Children's Villages - USA CEO, Heather Paul, was interviewed about this subject.
Report from SOS Children's Village near Port-au-Prince
January 21, 2010: An SOS Children's Villages rescue team in Haiti gives their first-hand account of the situation on the ground in Santo, Haiti.
Severe Aftershock in Haiti
January 20, 2010: A 6.1 magnitude aftershock terrifies the Haitian population and complicates relief work. After an in-depth review of infrastructure, SOS Children's Villages finds no new damage to villages or facilities in Santo and Cap Haitien.
SOS Children's Villages Rescue Teams in Haiti
January 17, 2009: A team of staff from SOS Children's Villages and volunteers from the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica arrive at the SOS Children's Village in Santo on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
Director of SOS Children's Villages Haiti: "We've never seen anything like this!"
January 17, 2009: Celigny Darius, director of SOS Children's Villages Haiti, describes the situation in Port-au-Prince.
SOS Haiti Communicates with SOS Children's Villages International
January 16, 2010: A brief conversation via satellite phone with the national director of SOS Children's Villages Haiti confirms that the staff and SOS families in the Haitian SOS Children's Villages are uninjured and that facilities have no major damages, including the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School. SOS staff from the Dominican Republic and Peru, experienced in the aftermath of earthquakes, focus on emergency relief efforts.
SOS Children's Villages in Haiti Provides Direct Aid to Children
January 14, 2010: In the aftermath of Haiti's devastating January 12 earthquake, SOS Children's Villages organizes relief efforts to directly aid Haitian children and adults.
Haiti Hit by Massive Earthquake
January 13, 2010: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Haiti on Tuesday evening, destroying many buildings and killing hundreds, possibly thousands of people.
How you can help provide relief in Haiti
SOS Children's Villages will provide the following aid to children and families living in the communities surrounding our villages and other facilities:
- Temporary shelter for unaccompanied children in the Santo and Cap Haitian villages or other locations
- Safe areas for mothers with children
- Food, medicine, clothing, shelter materials
- Trauma counseling
- Reunification programs for families and children
- Additional activities according to needs
Examples of what your donation to SOS Children's Villages Haiti Emergency Relief could do:
- $10 can buy milk for 28 children for one day.
- $25 can purify water for 1000 children for one day.
- $50 can buy meals for one child for one month.
- $100 can buy milk, water and food for 50 children for one day.
Video from helicopter flight over Haiti