A teacher watches a student working at a temporary school in Haiti. Photo: Naba Gurung
It has been a year since the world responded to the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Port-au-Prince region of Haiti. In the months after the quake, Anglicans in Canada generously donated over $2.2 million for relief work in that country. On the first anniversary of the quake, PWRDF wants to share an update on what has been happening.
The Event
The earthquake was the worst to strike Haiti in 250 years, killing over 200,000 people and displacing another 1.5 million. The epicenter was near Léogâne, 25km west of Port-au-Prince. Within minutes, word of the tragedy had spread around the world and relief agencies including PWRDF began to respond and to call for donations for relief work.
In the days after the quake, survivors worked to rescue those trapped under the rubble. They turned parks, golf courses and school yards into improvised camps. Relief supplies began to arrive, working around the damaged and destroyed infrastructure (the airport was overwhelmed, roads were blocked with rubble or destroyed, the port was closed). PWRDF responded the next day through the ACT Alliance’s Rapid Response program, helping to provide food, water, sanitation, shelter, and psycho-social support. The world continued to watch, praying, donating, supporting as they were able.
A girl participates in a dance program in Port-au-Prince. The program helps meet the psychosocial needs of those affected by the quake. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT
The Response
In the aftermath of the quake, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) announced that it would match, dollar for dollar, donations from individual Canadians towards Haiti relief. PWRDF received over $1.9 million in eligible matching funds. The CIDA match of $1.9 million was not given to PWRDF, but went into a pool of money administered by CIDA for work in relief and reconstruction after the quake.Of the over $2.2 million dollars PWRDF has received for Haiti relief, over $1.3 million has been distributed already. $750,000 has been used through the ACT Alliance, and close to $600,000 through the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
PWRDF’s support of the ACT Alliance has helped to:
- Provide 1600 households with tool kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits and transitional housing materials in Léogâne
- Provide 11,700 households with food, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, blankets, mosquito netting, bedding and emergency shelter needs
- Provide 5000 families with transitional housing materials.
- Provide psychosocial support to survivors
PWRDF and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), our sister agency within The Episcopal Church in the United States, have been working in partnership with CEDDISEC (Centre Diocésain de Développement Intégré et de Secours), the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti’s relief and development arm. This partnership has provided temporary shelters, toilets, and showers to 145 families. The shelters–which include a reinforced wooden frame, cinderblock foundation, tin roof and two bed nets are constructed by local workers. Keltie, a 37-year old single mother of five, was living in a five by five foot square shelter with a dirt floor after the quake. She has received one of the Diocese of Haiti’s shelters, and now lives there with her three youngest children. She said, “Before I had my new home, I felt like a back door”old and broken and hidden from people’s eyes. Now I feel like the front door, which is shiny and strong for the world to see.” In addition to providing shelters, PWRDF’s work with CEDDISEC includes reopening and building schools, cash for work programs, and livelihood support. PWRDF is currently exploring the possibility of starting a school feeding program with CEDDISEC, which will provide nutrition to students attending schools managed by the Diocese of Haiti.
The Current Situation
The problems faced by Haitians did not stop with the earthquake. Hurricane Tomas hit the nation in November, hard on the heels of an outbreak of cholera. Political and civil unrest has marked the last month and a half, leading into the presidential election run-off scheduled to take place on January 16th. This unrest has delayed the visit to Haiti scheduled
Yet the people of Haiti persevere.
Hope can be found in many of the projects PWRDF supports. Kenson Vilmé is the coordinator of an Episcopal school in Léogâne. His school was destroyed, but ACT has provided a tent where classes are held. Vilmé said, “It’s all good, life is not over because of this. Life continues. You have to get up and still keep living.” Louis, a seven year old at the school was even more positive. According to him, learning in a tent “feels good. It feels fresh. ” PWRDF will continue to support the work in Haiti, and is exploring more possibilities with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti to build on our partnership. Naba Gurung will visit Haiti as soon as he is able, and will continue to provide updates on the work PWRDF supports there.
Written by Naba Gurung, PWRDF’s Humanitarian Response Coordinator.