Photos: Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

 

As of January 30^th, CARE’s distribution efforts had already reached more than 50,000 of Haitit’s earthquake survivors.  On the 31^st, CARE and other international aid agencies began a massive food-distribution effort in partnership with the Haitian government and the World Food Programme (WFP) that is designed to reach 1.2 million people over a 15-day period. For the duration of the program, CARE is responsible for ensuring 1,700 families receive 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of uncooked rice every day in Delmas, one of the 16 distribution sites in the greater Port-au-Prince area. This rice will help provide each family with sufficient food for two weeks. By the end of the effort, CARE will have assisted almost 120,000 people in desperate need of food.  Read more about CARE’s ongoing relief effort in Haiti!

 

Like all of the distributions CARE has offered since the earthquake, CARE’s recent distributions with the WFP have been implemented in an orderly and calm manner. CARE is working closely with local communities to ensure that every survivor’s needs are met, especially pregnant women, children, the elderly and disabled. Only women are allowed into the WFP distribution sites, although CARE is also working with local community leaders so that men in need are not forgotten.

 

At the new program’s first distribution, pregnant women and disabled survivors received the first supplies with CARE’s assistance. Sadly, staff noticed that there were a few men outside of the cordoned off site who seemed frustrated by the lack of unrest. Several men were also on hand to help the women carry the bags "home." On the second day of distributions, some of the rice was provided in 50 kilogram bags so women will have to divide each bag.

 

In addition, on January 30^th, CARE had reached more than 50,000 survivors through the distribution of food, clean water and water purification packets, jerry cans, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets and the installation of water storage systems. This figure does not include the WFP distributions.

 

CARE’s distributions have thus far provided:

 

·       High energy biscuits to displaced families in Jérémie, which will provide enough calories per person for four days;

·       PUR® water purification packets;

·       Hygiene kits, with a special focus on the needs of women (each kit includes: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, detergent, shampoo, a comb, towels, safety pins, clothes line, sanitary napkins and toilet paper);

·       Mattresses were distributed, with priority given to families of pregnant women and women with children;

·       Blankets; and

·       Delivery kits to pregnant women to help them deliver safer in emergency situations (each kit includes plastic sheeting, gloves, a razor and gauze).

 

CARE has also installed five water storage bladders in Léogâne and Pétionville, thereby providing potable water to 7,600 people daily through CARE water tanker deliveries.

 

CARE is continuing to develop a long-term strategy to assist reconstruction efforts in Haiti.  During the disaster’s relief phase, which began immediately after the earthquake struck on January 12^th and will continue through April of this year, CARE is concentrating on the immediate needs of the 3 million people affected by the disaster.  Efforts are focused on helping survivors access clean water, nutritious food and emergency supplies.

 

Beginning in March 2010 and lasting through January 2011, CARE will institute the transition phase in its emergency relief efforts. CARE staff will focus on strengthening health programming, creating economic opportunities, providing Haitians with temporary or transitional shelter, distributing school kits and furniture, and raising awareness to prevent gender-based violence.

 

Once the transition phase is complete, CARE will begin the recovery effort’s rehabilitation phase that will continue until January 2015. During those four years, CARE will address affected communities' long-term issues.  Staff will dedicate their energies to facilitating earthquake-resistant construction and preparedness, rehabilitating Haiti’s water systems, and reconstructing schools and health systems.

 

-Nicole Schneidman, Citizen Effect Project Development Associate