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Caritas is the second largest humanitarian organisation in the world, after the Red Cross. As a member of that organisation, and its fourth largest donor, Trócaire’s help was immediately able to reach affected communities when the disaster struck.

Since then, working in partnership with local groups and communities, the agency has been channeling funds donated by the Irish public to help those most in need.

By Conor O’Loughlin, Communications Officer, Trócaire

Haitians are a religious people. 80% are Catholic, and while it is known that some still practice a form of voodoo that dates back to the population’s ancestry in West Africa, the faith of the majority is reflected in the streets. Churches seem as common as trees and modified trucks that serve as taxis ply the streets painted in garish lettering with slogans like ‘God is with us’, ‘Jesus Loves You’ and ‘Pray to Mother Mary’.

Church collections were held in at least six dioceses this weekend to support Trócaire’s Haiti appeal. Parishes in the dioceses of Cork and Ross, Killaloe, Down and Connor, Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Ferns and Clonfert held special collections at masses to benefit the survivors of the devastating earthquake almost two weeks ago.