Quake survivor reuniting Haiti families

Spurred by a need to help the devastated nation, and maybe even by a bit of guilt for escaping, Stéphane MonPremier is trying to help Haitians come to Canada.

“I escaped unscathed when young children are left behind,” he said. “Why do I get this future?”

MonPremier’s tale started on Jan. 12 when he arrived in Haiti to set up an immigration program with the help of two uncles. He was on the second floor of a home converted into a business office when the quake struck. It started slowly at first, MonPremier said, and then picked up.

“It was extremely violent,” he recounted, adding it was a “terrifying” experience.

The building withstood the quake, so the family members headed out in a pick-up truck in an effort to reach other family and friends. Along the way they picked up those who were injured. MonPremier recalled a woman in her 70s covered in soot being carried on a door by four men, and two fathers clutching their daughters hitching a ride. After discovering the hospital was in ruins, MonPremier and his uncles dropped the injured off at a nearby clinic overflowing with people.

Given the destruction, it was decided it would be best if MonPremier left. On Jan. 13 he crossed into the Dominican Republic, and then on Jan. 14 he came home.

While MonPremier managed to leave the wreckage behind, he couldn’t forget the people left to deal with the crisis.

Asking himself why he was able to escape, MonPremier indicated he realized he was able to leave because he has to help. Now one of his goals is to reunite the homeless with families here in Canada, he said.

MonPremier explained immigration applications are being expedited. But there are inherent difficulties for those seeking residency here. Haitians wishing to come to Canada must still submit all the usual documents, including birth certificates, passports, health checks and criminal records.

“It’s important to find a solution, or saying the doors are open is useless,” MonPremier said, indicating he understands it’s also important Canada maintains its guidelines. The lawyer instead suggests offering special temporary visas and bringing people here to their families, who must sponsor them, and then process the applications from Canada.

MonPremier has already been in contact with immigration lawyers and is establishing a network that will keep on top of developments. He said they’re also contacting decision makers. His uncles, meanwhile, are still in Haiti organizing from that end.

The next step, MonPremier added, might be a fundraising initiative to get people airfare so they can join their family in Canada.

“I have to try,” he said. “I feel the problem is so large I have to do something.”

For the time being, though, he encourages everyone to donate to relief efforts and even use what skills they have to help in other ways.