A mother and child outside their transitional shelter in Haiti. © CARE/Evelyn HocksteinEven 18 months after the January 12, 2010 earthquake reconstruction, rebuilding and repairs remain a huge task. It is far from being completed.
CARE has helped tens of thousands of families to repair damaged homes, and thousands whose homes were destroyed to to build new transitional shelters. But the scale of the disaster means that many people are still displaced.
Besides the emotional wounds, loss of family members and friends suffered by many Haitians, a large number of people have not only lost their home but also their income and livelihood. Factories have been destroyed, shops closed. Economic activity is picking up again, but slowly.
Despite the efforts of the Haitian people and government and support of the humanitarian community, more than 500 000 people are still living in makeshift shelters.
Many schools remain to be rebuilt, houses to be repaired and reconstructed. Much has been achieved, but much remains to be done.
Following recent elections Haiti has a new government. They are now entrusted with the confidence of the population to deliver on promises and hope. These include all children attending primary school, health care for the entire population and housing for those affected by the earthquake.
Such promises are easily made, these things are taken for granted in the UK and much of the world. However, to achieve these things in Haiti, Haitians, their government and the international community will have to continue efforts for many years to come. There is a huge difference between the current situation and the aspirations of the people.
CARE’s work in Haiti:
- CARE has provided materials for, and assisted local people to build, about 2500 transitional shelters.
- CARE has distributed 20,000 kits to help repair damaged homes.
- CARE has distributed 19,359 education materials kits to schools.
- 1,904 expectant mothers have received birth and new born kits from CARE.
- CARE has worked with 17,141 people in cash for work schemes.
- 1,904 expectant mothers have received birth and new born kits from CARE.
- CARE has worked with 17,141 people in cash for work schemes.
