Solidarity in Southern Haiti

EarthSpark has worked in Les Anglais for over a decade. The town was hit hard by the August 14 earthquake. The iconic church collapsed, crushing many who had been inside preparing for a baptism. Others were injured as the concrete walls and ceilings of homes and businesses fell. The region continues to feel aftershocks, and people are afraid more buildings will fall. Unable to feel safe indoors, many people have pulled bedding outside and are sleeping in the streets. The health clinic lacked basic supplies before the earthquake. The medical staff, now performing all work outdoors in the courtyard, have been struggling to meet the enormous need for care. With little privacy and inadequate medical supplies, childbirth is happening in the same area as the waiting room. 

There’s a lot of work to undo the structural injustices that have led to the current conditions, but while people are sleeping outside in the rain and infections are dangerously festering in broken limbs, we need all hands on deck helping victims.

Before the Aug 14 earthquake, the now-toppled steeple was a gleaming icon of Les Anglais. The poles and wires visible in this photo are still standing and providing electricity to the town.

 Powering Through the Tragedy

When the earthquake hit, the EarthSpark team took quick action:

• Our 2 microgrids were able to power the towns through the tragedy, with total downtime <3 hours;
• We de-energized the Les Anglais grid immediately after the quake to check for damage;
• We had minimal structural damage to the grid and will not need specialized repairs;​
• After ensuring energy provision, we have been helping ad hoc, turning the truck into an ambulance, a hearse; translating for emergency medical providers; coordinating air lift patients; advocating for relief services and supplies to reach the town of Les Anglais; installing new lights in the clinic; supporting our team and community as best we can.
  

Being able to continue powering Les Anglais and Tiburon through the earthquake is a case example of the value of microgrids and distributed renewable energy. However, we were lucky this time that our grids withstood only minor damage. As we look to expand microgrids throughout the region, we will work with the municipalities, clinics, and government officials to make sure we do all we can to be ready for when the next disaster hits. 
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• We need on-site solar and batteries at locations providing critical services like at telecommunication towers and health clinics to ensure continuity of service even if the distribution grid is damaged (and to strengthen the grids during normal operations);
• Clinics need basic medical supplies onsite. We look to the health sector to lead on this, but as employers in these towns, it is also our responsibility to ensure our team has access to basic care.
• People need access to better construction materials and methods. Again, we hope others will lead on this, but microgrids cannot deliver electricity to structures that have collapsed or to homes that need to be torn down and rebuilt.
  

To support EarthSpark's ongoing work building affordable, reliable electricity service in rural Haiti, please 

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