Haitian 'Tent Cities' in Danger of Being Destroyed by Tropical Storm Tomas

Soles4Souls Suspends Construction of Housing Projects as Field Officers Take Cover

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Nov 03, 2010, 08:23 ET

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropical Storm Tomas is threatening to destroy the temporary tent cities housing over 1.3 million people living in Haiti. The National Hurricane Center in Miami has projected the storm to reach Haiti by Friday morning, and it may strengthen into a Hurricane by the time it arrives.

Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of shoe charity Soles4Souls, has been to Haiti five times since the January 12 earthquake and his charity has distributed over one million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. He describes the tents as flimsy tarps stretched over wood poles.

"Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere before the earthquake," Elsey said, "and now these people are threatened by cholera outbreaks and disasters like this storm. We have grave concerns about what will happen to our friends and their families if it strikes, because there are no solid structures in these communities," he said.

Recognizing the dire need for sturdy housing and jobs, Elsey and his staff began building brick homes as part of Soles4Souls' core mission to provide relief for suffering people, although construction on its latest project near Port-au-Prince has been suspended as Tomas approaches.

"We've instructed our staff to stop construction and take cover, and we ask all of our supporters to pray this storm will spare Haiti," Elsey said. "Forecasters have warned about what would happen if a Hurricane struck before solid housing is built, and we are hoping we don't find out," he said.

Elsey said this storm underscores the ongoing tragedy suffered by the Haitian people as the Haitian government, the U.S. government and the international aid community struggle to effectively respond to primary needs of people on the ground. “We owe it to the people of Haiti to come together immediately so we can eliminate the obstacles and get them the help that they so desperately need,” he said.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls collects, recycles and reuses shoes from footwear companies and people like you. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away nearly 12 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls