First hand account of Haiti's earthquake and devastating aftermath

Letter from Bob Poff, Divisional Director of Disaster Services in Haiti

Words cannot begin to describe the devastation that has taken place in Port au Prince, Haiti. I am the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, and I am from the United States. My wife and I have been in Port au Prince since April, and have fallen deeply in love with the country and it's people.

When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings "pancaking" down, like I have never witnessed before. Traffic, of course, came to a stand-still, while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying, carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them. We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention. All of them were older, scared, bleeding, and terrified. It took about 2 hours to go less than 1 mile. Traffic was horrible, devastation was everywhere, and suffering humanity was front and center.

When we could drive no further, we left the truck parked on the side of the street, and walked the remaining 2 miles to get back to the Army compound. What I found was very sad! All of the security walls were down. The Children's Home itself seems pretty intact, but our quarters, which is attached, are destroyed. Unliveable. The walls and ceiling are still standing - but so badly compromised that I wouldn't even think of trying to stay there. All of the children, and hundreds of neighbors, are sleeping in our playground area tonight. Occasionally, there is another tremor - another reminder that we are not yet finished with this calamity. And when it comes, all of the people cry out and the children are terrified.

As I am sitting outside now, with most people trying to get a little sleep, I can hear the moans and crys of the neighbors. One of our staff went to a home in the neighborhood, to try to be of assistance to the woman who lived there. But she was too late.

The scene will be repeated over and over again. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future.

God bless Haiti.

A note of thanks

I want to THANK YOU (Salvation Army) for all the help you gave me and others last February when two fires destroyed the Park Manor Apartments in Montgomery. The first fire dislocated me, and in the second fire my apartment suffered so much water damage that it was not safe for me to go in and retrieve my belongings.

In addition to the fire, I was laid off from my job of 12 years and I also found out I needed surgery. I had to have the surgery performed before the month was over because I still had insurance. It all happened at once and was very trying for me at that time. But with your help and the Red Cross, I was greatly assisted and helped in many ways.

I have shopped at Salvation Army thrift stores before, but little did I realize that one day I would need or receive assistance from The Salvation Army.

Though I still do not have a job, I was able to purchase a home and move in just recently. This is the fourth move for me in less than a year. But this was a good move for me and my dog Muffy. I really appreciate the help that you gave me and others at Park Manor this year. Though we now are all scattered and at different living locations, it helped us so much. Bless you. Mike P.