Flooding in Haiti
Two weeks after the country was devastated by Hurricane Jeanne, the situation in Haiti remains precarious: the number of casualties and the scale of material damage continue to increase in a climate of social unrest. Many areas remain inaccessible. Action Against Hunger has put in place emergency water and sanitation programmes in order to make up for the shortage of drinking water and to restore access to clean water as soon as possible.
Emergency sanitation and drinking water distribution programmes in Gonaïves
According to the latest figures, 80 percent of the houses in the capital Gonaïves have been affected by the hurricane and today some 200,000 people have no access to drinking water. The vast majority of existing wells are polluted and flooded. The remaining wells are not sufficient to cater for the entire population. The Action Against Hunger teams have therefore simultaneously put in place various different water programmes throughout Gonaïves: cleaning of houses, creation of two sewage plants and 15 drinking water distribution points. Action Against Hunger plans to increase the number of water distribution points and to expand its programmes as soon as possible to the surrounding villages that are still inaccessible. Action Against Hunger is also trying to respond to the food needs of the population. However, high levels of insecurity and pillaging are delaying the establishment of such programmes.
The Port-de-Paix area: Strengthening Existing Programs
With currently no road access to the area around Port-de-Paix, supplies remain very limited across the whole northwestern part of the country. This has resulted in sharp price increases. Action Against Hunger is currently evaluating the impact of these price increases on the population. Simultaneously, the charity is continuing its water and sanitation programmes, with 19 drinking water distribution points covering the most pressing needs of half the town's population (some 50,000 people), as well as the restoration of the water supply network which will enable a permanent water supply to be maintained.
Emergency relief programmes have gradually been put in place. However, their impact has been limited by the difficulties of access and insecurity. The local population is in a desperate and precarious situation.
Haiti has been affected by severe humanitarian crisis for the third time this year. More than ever, its people are dependent on the attention and support of the international community.
Present in Haiti since 1982, Action against Hunger has been making special efforts since 2001 to provide clean drinking water and nutritional surveillance. At the same time, emergency programs are regularly instituted to respond to critical needs such as food, water and health provisions.