Haiti earthquake - 1 year on
Despite a slow recovery and several setbacks, the people of Haiti remain committed to progress.
Following the devastating earthquake, the country was struck with a cholera outbreak that continues to spread, a hurricane threat, and most recently, it was thrust into political turmoil as a result of an electoral process marred by allegations of widespread fraud.
One year on, the human cost of the earthquake is still not fully known. The devastation of the country is still threatening the stability of the nation and the health of its people.
Although there are signs of recovery, people’s living conditions remain dire. The latest assessment reports show that 1.3-1.5 million people are still living in temporary shelter sites. Mercifully, one reprieve was the relative calm of the hurricane season.
ActionAid’s response
Over the past year ActionAid has been distributing food packages in the 6 camps in Mariani and Philippeaux. Essentials such as maize, sugar, beans, salt and energy biscuits have been given out to more than 54,000 people. Hygiene kits are so important to people living in camps and more than 57,000 people have received kits with soap, shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes, toilet paper and laundry soap.
Since October when the cholera outbreak was confirmed, ActionAid working to prevent the spread of cholera as well as providing training for local partners to carry out hygiene and sanitation education campaigns to those living in camps.
Cash for Work
One of the main programs ActionAid has initiated to help people regain a sense of control over their lives is the cash for work schemes. By offering a daily salary, community members are able to work and at the same time help in the clearing or rebuilding of their towns.
ActionAid Haiti with partner CROSE are working to support displaced people from the earthquake and people from the community of Mare-Mirande. This includes creating dry walls in the mountainsides and ravines to risk of flooding and further damage.
Jean Geffrard who took part in the scheme said “The soil conservation that we did during the cash for work activity saved my home, therefore the life of my family and mine,”
“When hurricane Tomas hit Thiotte on November 4th, I thought that I would lose my house. But the dry walls we built in the mountain flanks reduced the strength of the water coming down. Part of the work that we’ve done is now destroyed, but it served its purpose. No houses were flooded and nobody died. We only lost some livestock and crops”, added Jean.
There is more to be done
ActionAid will continue to train communities on advocating for land rights. It is important to address the issues around lack of available land and be able to identify land for construction. Preparing communities for disasters to reduce their vulnerability in the future is also a crucial training program.
With nearly 4,000 schools damaged, many thousands of children are left without access to education. ActionAid is focusing on school construction projects now and into 2011. A Community Communication Centre will open in Thiotte at the end of January which will benefit over 1,000 people by giving them internet access and computer and technology training programs.
Our approach throughout the year has been to actively engage the communities we work in – to empower people to take ownership of the rebuilding process.
We will continue to work alongside our local partner organisations and civil society groups to influence policies and decisions and make sure their voices are heard.
Want to help? Donate to ActionAid's Haiti Earthquake Appeal:
>> Call 1300 66 66 72
