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News

Devastation in Haiti

Published: 13 January 2010

A message to the McGill community from Principal Heather Munroe-Blum on the devastation in Haiti

None of us can see the shocking images or read the disturbing accounts of the utter devastation that has been visited on Haiti without feeling overwhelmed by the extent of human suffering wrought by this week’s catastrophic earthquake.

While it is yet too early to know even roughly the true toll of dead and injured, there is no question that the scale of destruction and loss in Haiti is monumental – and this in a country ill equipped in any event to cope with such an enormous rescue and reconstruction effort.

Our hearts go out to all those who have suffered loss. Closer to home, I have sent messages of condolence to our colleagues at the Université de Québec à Montréal, who are mourning the deaths of Prof. Georges Anglade and his wife, Mireille, who were killed when the earthquake struck. Prof. Anglade was one of the founders of UQÀM, and this loss is felt acutely.

McGill, fortunately, knows of no present students, faculty or staff who were killed or injured in the earthquake, although there may well be those among us who know someone affected by these terrible events. The University is, of course, making its various counseling services available to any who have need of them. Please see the contact information at the conclusion of this message if you need support or know of someone who does.

I am also working with our sister universities and other partners to determine where we might assist as the massive task of relief and rebuilding begins.

The relief effort presents a truly daunting task that will require vast resources of every imaginable kind. Many of us will want to offer support and one most effective way of doing so quickly is by making a donation to a reputable relief agency, such as the .

Sincerely,

Heather Munroe-Blum

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Support services available at McGill

International Student Services
Brown Student Services Building, 3rd floor
3600 McTavish St.
Contact: Pauline L’Écuyer (514-398-4349)

Office of the Dean of Students
Brown Student Services Building, 4th floor
514-398-4990
deanofstudents [at] mcgill.ca

McGill Counselling  (Downtown Campus)
Brown Student Services Building, 4th floor
3600 McTavish
514-398-3601

McGill Counselling (Macdonald Campus)
Student Service Centre (Centennial Centre)
514-398-7992

Employee Assistance Program
Longpré (consultants)
514 843-7009

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