By Christina Campbell
Haiti’s food shortages have been given a massive transfusion with the launch of a large-scale food distribution strategy that started Sunday, January 31.
World Vision, along with seven other aid agencies, began distributing 25-kilogram bags of rice on Sunday. The goal is to reach 1.6 million Haitians in the next two weeks. World Vision’s distributions will reach approximately 400,000 people.
“The key right now is to address the acute shortages,” says Otto Farkas, director of Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs at World Vision Canada. But he says this first distribution also serves an important psychological service. “This is to reassure the population so they know things are getting through.”
Facing Exceptional Challenges
The earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12 has created exceptionally challenging conditions for distributing aid. The challenges include un-passable roads, a damaged seaport, an overcrowded airport, fuel shortages and a lack of trucks. As a result of the shortages, food distributions that have taken place since the earthquake have been congested and sometimes violent.
The massive distribution that started on Sunday has been carefully planned, with security a top concern. The United Nation’s stabilization force (MINUSTAH) and the US military will provide security protection while the distribution takes place. To ensure that the distribution process protects the dignity of families, World Vision child protection workers will help on site.
On Sunday, World Vision distributed 84 metric tonnes to 17,000 people in the Delmas and Nazon neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. The distributions took place without incident.
A Dense and Crowded Slum
Starting on Wednesday, World Vision will distribute food from two points in Cite Soleil, a dense and crowded slum.
“Cite Soleil sites require additional preparation time due to the high density of the population and additional security concerns,” says Jean-Claude Mukadi, World Vision’s relief response director in Port-au-Prince.
“The vulnerable are first in line”
To reduce the risks of violence across the city, the bags of rice are being given to women. Experience has shown that women, who are typically responsible for feeding their children and families, are more likely to distribute food equitably. The 25-kilogram bags of rice, which are provided by the United Nations World Food Programme, will sustain a family for two weeks.
World Vision is communicating information about the distributions through Creole-language radio, SMS text messages and local community leaders. Coupons are being distributed with the help of these community leaders, who are helping to identify those who are most vulnerable and in need of food.
When the distributions takes place Mukadi says, “Staff will focus on ensuring that the most vulnerable are first in line.”
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