Situation
During the months of August and September Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was struck by four hurricanes — Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike. The damage from the storms was extensive. According to official statistics by Haitian state authorities, more than 165,300 families were affected. 22,700 homes have been destroyed and 84,625 homes were damaged. 793 human lives were lost.
But it is not just lives and homes that were devastated by the storms. Agricultural land and crops of corn, rice, banana, potato and beans have been destroyed as well as has access to agricultural areas. The loss of livestock (cattle, poultry and other domestic animals) was also significant.
The infrastructure, including water, telephone and electrical systems, as well as roads and bridges, sustained damage making access to many areas impossible and hampering both aid efforts, economic activities, access to food and markets as well as health care.
Areas most impacted
The storms came when the country was already in a precarious situation in terms of food insecurity. A July 2008 report stated that around 2 million people were in a situation of moderate to acute food insecurity. The combination of high food prices since last spring and the devastation of the storms are starting to contribute to a recorded increase in acute malnutrition cases.
The town of Gonaives — affected mostly from the impact of Hurricanes Hanna and Ike — is literally still sunk in mud almost six weeks after the disaster, estimated two-thirds of the town are covered by 1.5 meters of mud. This area is considered to be the worst affected in the whole country by authorities and the international community
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is helping to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups impacted by the flooding and devastation in Haiti though the Action by Churches Together (ACT) international network. PDA is a member organization of ACT, a global alliance of churches and other agencies.
In addition, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with our partner, Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP). MPP, a Presbyterian Hunger Program partner, has been working in the Central Plateau and was very involved in responding to previous flooding in Gonaives, Haiti, caused by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004.
The estimated number of people receiving assistance is about 48,000 people (9,800 families)
- Emergency relief to include food buckets (containing rice, sugar, pinto beans, canned fish, spaghetti, salt, cooking oil and tomato paste), blankets, hygiene kits, baby kits and small scale cleaning of water sources.
- Rehabilitation and repair of damaged homes and schools
- Rehabilitation of wells/latrines and water systems
- Provision of seeds and tool kits (hoes, spades, shovels, machetes, wheelbarrows) to help restart agricultural activities
- Replacement of livestock (cattle, poultry and other domestic animals)
- Assistance with school fees for children returning to school
What you can do
Many of you are asking how you can help. Complete assessments have just begun. You can help the church in this response:
- Through your prayers.
- Through your generosity. Your contributions provide the resources needed to assist with immediate and long-term recovery needs.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000064 – Haiti
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels. |
