Haiti: Six Months Later

A young girl outside a Child-Friendly Space set up in Enaf 2 camp, Port-au-Prince. Enaf 2 is one of the 17 camps where World Vision is working.
Photo: Katie Chalk, World Vision.

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The earthquake that struck southern Haiti on January 12 lasted only about 35 seconds. Its effect, however, was more catastrophic than could have ever been imagined. More than 220,000 people were killed, 330,000 injured and an estimated 3 million people in total were affected.

With the world's attention focused on Haiti, World Vision's supporters responded generously. As a result, the organization has implemented a variety of programs to meet the needs of survivors. Now, six months later, the crisis remains enormous, but progress has been made.

Child Protection
An estimated 80 per cent of schools in Port-au-Prince were damaged or destroyed during the earthquake.

In response, World Vision established 22 Child-Friendly Spaces. Each week 7,700 children benefit from a safe space for playing, singing, dancing, drawing and learning.
Since most schools in Haiti are private, prior to the quake about 40 per cent of children were unable to afford tuition. World Vision is helping fill this education gap, opening early childhood development spaces that provide non-formal education in a safe environment.
World Vision’s family reunification unit identifies children separated from families and provides interim care during the location process. To date, 766 children have been registered, 84 have been reunited with family.

Shelter

After the quake, World Vision assisted over 120,000 people with emergency shelter and household items, including tarpaulins, blankets, tents and flashlights. Today, families continue to receive basic household needs.
Six months after the quake, 1.5 million people remain in emergency shelter. With the rainy season started, transitional shelters are a priority for those still living in tents or under tarps.
Construction is under way, but there are many challenges. In the meantime, cash-for-work projects help communities mitigate the risk of flooding through the construction of drainage canals, tent reinforcement and tarp repair.

Food Security

In the first months of the response, World Vision provided food to more than 1.86 million people.
At the end of March, a government decree called for mass distributions to be phased out in favour of more targeted food distributions. These included relief rations that, since April, have benefited almost 34,000 displaced persons.
In partnership with the World Food Programme, World Vision has also started a school feeding programme encouraging families to send their children to school, where they will receive a meal.

Water and Sanitation
Prior to Jan. 12, Haiti lacked proper infrastructure for water and sanitation. The existing infrastructure was then severely damaged by the quake, further reducing access to clean water.

In response, World Vision continues to supply 2 million litres of treated water each week to 23 camps.
In total, 16.8 million litres of clean water have been distributed since the quake. In 17 camps, more than 200 toilets and nearly 300 showers have been constructed and maintained.
Camp residents benefit from cash-for-work projects by constructing toilets, showers and water supply systems, while hygiene promotion activities in the community work to prevent diarrhea and malaria.

Healthcare
In the cramped living conditions of camps, poor sanitation, lack of clean water and poor nutrition can lead to illness, especially among children, pregnant women and the elderly.

With 10 fixed and mobile clinics in 15 camps, World Vision is offering primary healthcare and nutritional monitoring services to more than 11,000 people. Eight hospitals in Port-au-Prince currently receive drugs and medical supplies.
In coordination with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, World Vision ensures the immunization of children under eight years and the distribution of vitamin A supplements.
Mothers’ Clubs formed in the early days of the emergency have transitioned into Health Awareness Clubs, providing a forum for discussion of health issues between women and men of various ages.
Baby-Friendly Areas continue to offer sessions to mothers in breastfeeding, nutrition, diarrhea prevention and more.

Economic Recovery and Livelihoods
Cash-for-work initiatives involve community members in their neighbourhood reconstruction, while also providing income to families.

Across 29 camps, more than 10,000 people are benefitting from providing services in repairing emergency shelters, cleaning pit latrines, improving drainage and collecting waste.
In a recent innovation, World Vision is offering cash transfers to those with disabilities, creating opportunities for improved livelihoods and potential income-generation activities and providing vocational and basic business training.
In other livelihoods programming, World Vision is offering training on keyhole gardens, composting and the use of fuel-efficient stove.

You Can Help
There is still much work to be done to help the people of Haiti. Please donate today.