Haiti earthquake: ActionAid's response
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After the earthquake in Haiti, ActionAid has succeeded in addressing basic needs and urgent priorities in affected areas where we work. We have set up a regular feeding program for more than 15,000 people in six camps in the Mariani area of Port-au-Prince, one of the poorest areas of the city. And we will reach another 12,000 people in the coming days, despite ongoing logistical challenges.
The food distributions are taking place every two weeks and each family gets enough nutritious food to last until the next delivery. These distributions will continue for at least another two months.
Jean Claude Fignole, ActionAid’s Country Representative in Haiti, points out that “Our food aid program has been going for three weeks now and we have also starting giving out blankets and kitchen sets".
“The process has been with the full participation of the community and we have given extra help to vulnerable groups like pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly. We work with grassroots organizations which is why we have been able to reach people in a dignified way.”
In addition ActionAid will this week begin delivering food aid to 12,000 people in Jacmel in the south east of the country, which was also hard hit by the earthquake. With our local partner organization CROSE, we are also planning to give out seeds and tools in Jacmel before the planting season starts in March.
Jean Claude Fignole adds that “Our next focus will be on providing shelter ahead of the rainy season in March, helping children get back to school and people get back to work. Another important element of our work will be trauma healing for those who have lost loved ones and been left in shock by the earthquake.”
ActionAid will be working on the protection of women and girls in the refugee camps. We also plan to reach out in areas that were less affected by the earthquake but have seen an influx of people from the areas that were harder hit.
ActionAid has a long-established program in Haiti; we have been working there since 1996. Over the coming months and years, we will work in partnership with Haitian civil society to help poor men and women to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
Your help is still urgently needed. Please join with the people Haiti in supporting this vital, life saving work.
