Central Florida ministry sends help to Haiti following devastating earthquake

ORLANDO, Fla. — In Haiti, residents are still reeling from the devastation of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the island on Saturday.

Authorities now say at least 724 people have died and more than 2,800 are hurt.

Help is now on the way from people in Central Florida from St. Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park.

Photos: Haiti rocked by 7.2 earthquake

Wisly Zephir is from Haiti but has lived in Orlando for five years.

On Sunday, he returned to represent St. Margaret Mary’s Haiti Ministry.

Zephir said what he’s seen since touching down on the island Sunday night is unlike anything he’s experienced.

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People are already going hungry and are now having to deal with further food shortages.

“We’re in a country where most of the people are not working. They live day by day. I mean, I can see it in people’s faces. So many people are starving now,” Zephir said.

Zephir’s goal is to work with the local parishes to help connect people with food and extra funds.

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This is becoming increasingly more difficult because of the local gangs.

“The instability there, the insecurity is so high. You walk on the street and you see the gang of people who covered their faces and they have guns in their hands,” Zephir said. “It’s not even 50/50, right now. It’s like 70/30. (There’s a) 70% chance you either get kidnapped or you get killed. Anything can happen.”

Zephir said gangs have taken over main roads, hijacking and robbing those with supplies.

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For those people lucky enough to pass, the earthquake victims are forced to pay top dollar for essentials, which many can’t afford.

Zephir said the suffering is evident everywhere he looks.

He knows the road to recovery won’t be easy for anyone, which is why he wants to do his part for his people.

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“When you are born somewhere, you cannot take your heart out from that place. I know what I was going through. I was very scared, but I thought if I don’t do it, who else is going to do it?” Zephir said. “People are suffering. Not a little bit, they’re really suffering.”

If you’d like to help people in Haiti through the ministry, click here.

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