Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Haitian people, thank you for your support of the rescue, recovery and relief efforts in our country, following the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. We are now faced with the logistics of victim relocation and relief. The death toll is estimated to reach 200,000 people, with as many as 1.5 million people left homeless. Thousands of people are fleeing Port-au-Prince.

The New York-based organization Bassin Zim Education and Development Fund (Bassin Zim EDF) is seeking support for its partner organization in Haiti, Peasant Movement of Papaye (“MPP”) for a major effort to relocate victims to safe refuge. The MPP Earthquake Relief Center is located in Papaye, in the Plateau Central area of Haiti, 75 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince.

Founded in 1973, the Papaye Peasant Movement (MPP) is Haiti’s largest agriculture grassroots organization. It addresses problems of food production, land protection and social issues such as women’s rights, community empowerment and solidarity, and environmental education regarding deforestation and cutting of trees for charcoal. MPP has been organizing peasant farmers for over 37 years.  The US Library of Congress recently honored MPP by adding its story to their official record of historic human achievements.

Respectfully, Bassin Zim EDF requests your financial support to raise $50,000 for the MPP Earthquake Relief Center.  Immediate costs include transportation of more desperate victims who need to be evacuated from the cities. Funds will be used for bedding, tents, food and water, as well as costs associated with purchasing medical supplies, providing medical personnel and medicine.

Thank you for any support that you can provide to our humanitarian effort. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.seedsforhaiti.org or www.bassinzim.org, or by mail. Checks should be made out to “Bassin Zim EDF” and mailed to: Bassin Zim EDF-Earthquake, P.O. Box 360125, Brooklyn, NY 11236
 
Respectfully,

Bazelais Jean-Baptiste - President of Bassin Zim Education and Development Fund

Please visit our websites to learn more about our organizations and how you can help:
www.bassinzim.org; www.mpphaiti.org