CARE Emergency Relief Update: Six Weeks after the Earthquake

by Nicole S. on March 01, 2010

Six weeks after January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, more than 3.7 million survivors continue to struggle to meet their families’ daily needs. The most recent estimates indicate that since the disaster, 222,000 people have died, 300,000 have been injured and as many as 1.2 million men, women and children have been forced to leave their homes to seek refuge elsewhere.

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Losing Home

by Nicole S. on February 02, 2010

Photos: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

Since January 12^th’s devastating earthquake, Haitians have struggled with bleak living conditions, in particular the region's lack of sufficient shelter.  As one CARE staff member reported, “Shelter is makeshift. A subject of common prayer: 'We hope that rain does not fall!' The big majority of the shelters set up so far assure essentially a symbolic role of limitation of territory guaranteeing a minimum of security and of intimacy. That means that the existing shelters do not protect against anything at all, if that would be wind, sun, cold, heat and even less against rain.”

Photos: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

Read the account of how the family of one CARE team member is coping with the loss of their home in Rick Perera’s “Heartbreaking Visit:”  I’ve just returned from one of the most heartbreaking visits of my two weeks here…Read more!

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CARE Reaches 50,000 With Plans to Impact 120,000

by Nicole S. on February 02, 2010

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!

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Scout's Honor: Field Notes from a CARE Team Member

by Nicole S. on January 26, 2010

                                                  Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

As CARE’s Emergency Media Officer in Haiti, Rick Perera is accompanying CARE teams as they continue their distributions and emergency relief efforts.  Amidst the devastation, Perera has witnessed local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts rallying to assist their communities and support one another.  In a recent two-part report, Perera shared the stories of several of these young Haitians and their bravery in the wake of their nation’s disaster. 

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Life Hanging by a Thread: Field Notes from a CARE Team Member

by May Y. on January 25, 2010

                          
                             Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

Among the 3 million Haitians who have been affected by January 12^th’s earthquake, CARE estimates there are at least 37,000 pregnant women who are in urgent need of assistance.  In a recent field report, Loetitia Raymond, a CARE team member, offers a moving description of the brutal conditions facing many of these women as CARE staff race to help them. 

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January 25th Update: CARE Impacts 31,000

by May Y. on January 25, 2010

                                                  Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

As of Sunday, January 24th, CARE had reached nearly 31,000 survivors of the Haitian earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Pétiton-ville, Léogâne, Carrefour and Jeremie.  CARE staff have successfully distributed food, water purification packets, jerry cans, hygiene kits, mattresses, and blankets. CARE has also ensured an estimated 7,600 living in makeshift camps in Pétiton-ville and Léogâne have access to clean water.  In the coming week, team members plan to continue these efforts and will also begin dispensing high-energy food, tents, and first aid kits. 

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January 21st Update: CARE Distributes Hygiene Kits

by May Y. on January 22, 2010

                                                  Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

CARE successfully distributed hygiene kits on January 21^st in Pétion-ville, a suburb east of Port-au-Prince.  After assessing and registering new mothers and pregnant and elderly women on Wednesday, CARE staff distributed the kits and ensured that registered women were given top priority.  The hygiene kits contained essentials, such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, detergent, toilet paper and sanitary napkins. 

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Field Notes from a CARE Team Member

by May Y. on January 21, 2010

                            Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

On January 19th, Patrick Solomon and Steve Hollingworth, CARE's COO and EVP for Global Operations, were part of a convoy that distributed water bladders, jerrycans, and hygiene kits to 135,000 people in Léogâne, a town southwest of Port-au-Prince.   Hollingworth’s field report from the day recounts the process CARE staff are applying to efficiently and peacefully work with Haiti’s affected communities to reach those who most urgently need assistance.

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January 20th CARE Update from the Ground

by May Y. on January 20, 2010

                                        Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

Update: A 6.1 magnitude aftershock hit Haiti on the morning of Wednesday, January 20^th.  CARE emergency response teams have sent messages via SMS and email reporting on the situation and confirming they are prepared to provide support as needed.

On January 19^th, CARE teams distributed water to 25,000 people and simultaneously provided 2,000 families with water containers and hygiene kits.  Staff are also disbursing high-protein food in consultation with hospitals and local emergency teams to reach those the earthquake left most vulnerable. CARE’s mattress distribution has been postponed as the local mayor plans to relocate survivors from their makeshift campsites to a football field, where those in need will be able to receive additional assistance.

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January 18th Update: CARE Targets Women and Children

by Nicole S. on January 19, 2010

                                CARE in Haiti Country Director Sophie Perez distributes aid to a mother with a newborn.

                                Photo: 2010 Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

Disaster-relief teams in Haiti are now facing a ticking clock.  Ruptured water lines, growing waste, and the lack of a sewer system are escalating the threat of disease outbreaks and infection in the devastated nation.  CARE warned on January 16^th that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children are at the greatest risk of being compromised by these conditions. Team members have already hit Port-au-Prince’s streets to give women a crash course in using the 600,000 water-purification packets CARE is distributing in the capital.  In addition, CARE is organizing to provide those women and children most at-risk with emergency food rations, hygiene kits, and infant kits.  CARE is also partnering with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) to address the urgent needs of pregnant and lactating women and prevent further loss of life.

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