Valley Man To Help Haiti Earthquake Victims

PALM DESERT -A valley man, born and raised in Haiti, plans to return to help earthquake victims and reunite with family.

“I start getting afraid, I did not know. I was so nervous.”

Evenel Mervilus describes how he felt as he started hearing about the earthquake that has devastated his homeland.

“When they start showing the palace, hospitals, hotels and schools — I say there’s no way the little houses will be able to stand.”

Mervilus, who now lives with his wife and three kids in La Quinta, says his parents, a brother and two sisters still live in Haiti, in a town about 100 miles outside of Port-au-Prince. He was able to briefly talk with them the day after the quake struck.

“I say ‘are you ok?’ They say ‘yes, we feel it but not that bad.’ The conversation stopped and I could not communicate with them. With hope, I’m positive they are ok.”

But Mervilus has been told at least seven family friends were killed in the worst quake to hit the island nation in more than 200 years. As the one-time President of the Haitian Swimming Association, Mervilus says he had training for an emergency such as a hurricane.But not for anything like a 7.0 earthquake.

“Earthquake education is not a big focus in Haiti,” says the 44 year old Mervilus. “Here in California, every time. But in Haiti, no.”

Mervilus says he will fly to Haiti next week, in hopes of reuniting with family and helping victims. “We’re going to do all our best to help those people. They are my heart, they are my brothers and sisters.”