The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale.
It occurred on Tuesday, 12 January at 4.53pm. By January 24, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater were recorded and as of 12 February 2010, an estimated three million people were reported to have been affected by the quake. Also, at this time, the Haitian Government reported that between 217,000 and 230,000 people were identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,500,000 homeless. The death toll was expected to rise. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.
Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel, including Barbados.
The Maria Holder Memorial Trust team visited the Barbados Government Headquarters to meet with Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, who heads Barbados’ relief project. Project Manager, Mary Brewster, told Senator Sandiford-Garner that the Founders and Members of the Board of The Maria Holder Memorial Trust were pleased to lend their support to Haiti which was a tragic humanitarian disaster. Project Manager, Russell Hopper, explained that most of the Trust’s giving was usually done through projects with strict guidelines required for funding. However, the Haiti relief was a need so compelling that despite not having the normal criteria in place, the executive felt moved to make a donation.
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