Haiti Support Work
We were able to assist with the camps we had previously setup as well as some new avenues of work. We were very pleased to be able to identify and help some orphanages as we had wanted to do previously. If you look at the picture gallery you can see the conditions that the children are living. By western standards they are poor, but at least it is a roof over their heads, they are getting fed and the managers of the orphanage are trying to make improvements. This is an area we want to develop for the future and see great needs to be met as we have begun to do.
We were also pleased to help a local church that has been trying to help people who have setup temporary shelter on their doorstep. We had some rain during our visit which made conditions very dirty and yet the rainy season has started properly so we can't imagine how difficult it will begin to get when the hurricane season hits in June. Still only an estimated 20% of people even have temporary shelter. The team did find conditions challenging with water shortages, electricity cuts and petrol rationing that resulted in two people being shot while we were there. We are committed to helping and would value your support to continue this work. Please get in touch if you are able to help organise a fundraising event or want to be kept in touch with developments. We know we can make a difference.
Two FSW staff members (David Dickson and Lydie Badcock) are leaving on 12th April to travel to Haiti and will be helping provide support for families which remain in incredible need.This is David's second trip and is able to report that after the recent earthquakes we know that: 4 million people are living in areas affected by the Earthquakes. 500,000 left Port-au-Prince for rural areas. 1.5 million people are homeless with 700,000 people displaced in Port Au Prince 240,000 lost their lives. there are 600 improvised settlements, with 250,000 children under 7 living in temporary sites.
A lot of people were severely traumatised as a result of the earthquake and are naturally worried about a recurrence of quakes. On previous trips the overwhelming psycho-social needs among the population were evident. This needs to be addressed along with coordination among various organisations and agencies has proved to be a challenge - partly because communication networks were cut during the quake. The urban environment of Port-au-Prince also makes delivering aid logistically difficult and because of restriction in land laws people can’t relocate easily. |
The recent trip In April consisted of a number of team regulars as well as Lydie Badcock our Worthing worker whom acted as our translator who was unable to fly in January and a visitor from Ireland, Elizabeth. The trip was very productive one in terms of the range of activities we were able to do as you will see from the 
We also visited a local prison for women where conditions were very cramped. The heat was stifling and conditions were so cramped that some people have to sleep standing up. There is a lot of tension, as you would imagine, and a number of inmates have babies as well. We met one lady who lives on a roll up mat under a bed and in the same room people are cramped together in one room with their children. When we visited we met at least one lady dying of aids and by the team returned a few days later for a second visit to bring medicine this lady had died and was replaced by another aids victim. Nevertheless the 300 hygiene packs and medical aid we organised will provide some help.
March 2010 Printable Version |