Haiti Earthquake Emergency: An Update

Last updated: June 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Nearly five months after the devastating earthquake, an extensive international operation is now under way in Haiti, with up to 500 agencies supporting the Haitian government in providing humanitarian relief. So far, the following milestones have been achieved: over 3.5 million people have received food assistance; 1.3 million have access to potable water through the installation of water points; over 1 million people have received emergency shelter materials; and more than 500,000 people have been vaccinated against common diseases.

Haiti continues to face the shortages of food supplies, water and fuel. The establishment of camps, however, has stabilized the upheaval of the disaster-affected populations. The current needs include poor security across the city, high crime rates within camps, and limited access to education for children. Rainy season has also presented another major challenge that includes landslides and health problems in the makeshift camps.

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While Islamic Relief continues to provide camp management support for 2,916 residents living in Parc Saint Claire Camp and Accra Nord Camp, IR is now transitioning its program to support recovery efforts through long-term security and investments in human capital. This includes implementing the Cash for Work programs in Delmas and Port-au-Prince Communes of the Quest Province of Haiti. The Cash for Work Program has created employment for 2,124 local residents who constructed and improved sanitation facilities for 800 families in the camps.

Furthermore, Islamic Relief has developed a good working relationship with the Ministry of Education and several mayors. Islamic Relief is in the beginning stages of constructing eight permanent schools, accommodating approximately 6,800 children between the ages of 5 to 17, who live in Delams and Carrefour Districts. Residents of these areas are among the most severely affected in Haiti. IR is also repairing many damaged schools, providing transitional school shelters for the three IR camps, and training teachers and school management committees in upcoming months.

Click here to read an Islamic Relief worker's reaction from the field. 

Please donate today to help Haiti's earthquake-affected people survive and rebuild their lives.

Having developed the One-Year Program Strategy with the Haiti field team of 25 staff members, IR has fine-tuned the overall operational directions with focus on the sectors of Water Sanitation & Hygiene, Livelihood/Cash for Work, Education, and Disaster Risk Reduction. IR will continue to actively work with the local people and communities of Haiti directly and engage locally-based NGOs in order to build their capacity for long-term sustainability.

Please help the victims and donate to Islamic Relief’s Emergency fund today.