The death toll in Haiti as a result of Hurricane Matthew – the most powerful Caribbean storm in a decade – has soared to more than 900, officials say. 3 million people are displaced.
Areas hit by the hurricane in the country are the most vulnerable to the spreading of cholera. Anticipated strong rains and floods are expected to cause new cholera hotbeds in the region. This is just the latest difficulty faced by the poorest country of the western hemisphere.
Cesvi has been working in the south-western area of the country, Les Cayes for years, running a project to support the local population to improve food security and resilience – their ability to cope with external shocks such as disasters.
Our staff immediately started implementing relief activities in order to help people hit by the disaster. They are now assessing conditions in the Department of the South to map local needs and plan the most efficient intervention. First activities might include the distribution of temporary shelters, food, relief goods and sanitary kits.
“Our office got flooded, and that caused structural damages” – says Stefania Cannavò, Cesvi Desk Officer for Haiti. “Communities in Les Cayes are suffering; rural activities already in place got heavily damaged: farmers have to start everything from zero again. The South is cut off from the rest of the country since a bridge collapsed interrupting the only connection between the capital city Port-au-Prince and the North and the South of the country”.
Cesvi staff are working alongside other organizations on the field and they are in touch with the Alliance2015 partners.
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Photo by ACTED