Quake widow plans memorial for husband

Emily Sanson-Rejouis (pictured centre holding her surviving daughter Alyahna) lost her husband and two elder daughters in the Haiti earthquake. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealander whose husband was buried in the Haitian quake hopes to start a foundation in his name to continue the work he "cared very much about".

Nelson's Emily Sanson-Rejouis, 37, and husband Emmanuel Rejouis met on a United Nations mission in North Africa and were living in Port-au-Prince with their three daughters when the 7.0-magnitude quake struck last Wednesday.

Mrs Sanson-Rejouis rushed to their hotel from her office when the tremors stopped, but her family was buried.

A week on, she and 2-year-old daughter Alyahna are recovering in Miami, supported by family. The toddler was pulled alive from the rubble with a broken leg.

Mr Rejouis and the couple's two other daughters, Zenzie, who would have turned 4 on Sunday, and Kofie-Jade, 5, were killed in the quake. Kofie-Jade's body has not been recovered, but the UN promises to search again once it has ceased looking for survivors.

Half-sister Caroline Larnach spoke to the family in Miami and Mrs Sanson-Rejouis' father, Roger Sanson, said his daughter wanted to bring her family home to Nelson.

She had not thought much beyond that, but was thinking about starting a foundation in honour of her husband, he said.

"She is talking about starting a foundation in Emmanuel's name that focuses on youth, sports and education in Haiti, to continue the work that Emmanuel cared very much about."

He said Alyahna seemed to be recovering well and the family was starting to see smiles and giggles again. "She's frustrated with the cast on her leg and not being able to run around, but she's showing off her bumps and bruises to everyone."

The toddler received good medical attention in the Dominican Republic, Mr Sanson said, and was due for a follow-up in Miami.

Mr Sanson said support from around the world had been huge.

"[From] family, friends, colleagues and even complete strangers," he said. "There has been so much love shared with Emily and Alyahna. It's very humbling but it's also helpful and comforting, to all of us."

HOW TO DONATE

NZ aid organisations running appeals:
* Red Cross NZ Contact 0900 733 26 or online at redcross.org.nz
* Oxfam 0800 400-666 or oxfam.org.nz
* Unicef 0800 800-194 or unicef.org.nz
* Christian World Service 0800 747-372 or cws.org.nz
* World Vision 0800 802-000 or worldvision.org.nz
* Caritas 0800 22-10-22 or caritas.org.nz
* Tear Fund Online at tearfund.co.nz
* Save the Children 0800 167-168 or savethechildren.org.nz.