Haiti is in a dire situation after getting hit with three successive storms: Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna.

The most recent storm, Hanna, hit the country on September 2-3. The port city of Gonaives, in the Arbonite region, suffered the most, with flood levels up to nine feet.

Officials in Haiti are working with U.N. task forces to rescue stranded residents by helicopter as access by road is impossible. However, there are few safe shelters available. What little communication and travel infrastructure existed had already been destroyed by Fay and Gustav, so gathering information is difficult.

Government officials in Haiti have declared a state of emergency and appealed to the international community for help.

Haiti is also bracing for two new storms, Ike and Josephine, which are predicted to hit the country early next week.

• 45 child development centers have been affected by the storms' cumulative effect.
• Many homes of Compassion-assisted children have been damaged or destroyed, along with animals and gardens.
• Many children and their families have also lost belongings.
• Compassion staff in Haiti have formed a crisis committee to assess the situation and submit recommendations for response measures. They are also distributing food and water to the children and families in Gonaives and the surrounding regions.
• All affected child development centers are addressing the immediate needs of their registered children and their families.

Please donate to the Haiti Hurricane Response fund to help with the relief and recovery efforts.

Please pray for our children, families and staff in Haiti. Pray for their safety and that God will provide for their needs.

Compassion Haiti will keep us updated as more information is available.

Compassion International will contact you if your sponsored child has been affected.