
A man in front of his house, a part of local reconstruction and rehabilitation of traditional houses project.
Credits: Secours Catholique
In Haiti, two years after the earthquake of 12 January 2010, Caritas Confederation members
are keeping up their efforts to help the people affected by the disaster. The earthquake,
measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, caused 230,000 deaths and affected more than three
million people by destroying up to 90% of infrastructures in the hardest hit areas. The
generosity of people from around the world has enabled Caritas to set up dozens of projects
that have played a part in rebuilding the country and improving the living conditions of
Haiti's most disadvantaged people.
After giving immediate assistance to the people affected by the earthquake (distribution of
food, hygiene kits and essential items, as well as provision of temporary shelter), Caritas
members have turned their attention to more long-term aid projects.
Caritas members have intervened in various areas of activity. Of course, thousands
of homes have been rebuilt, which as Caritas Haiti says represents "a victory over the
earthquake and a fresh start for the most vulnerable families." Caritas is also working
incessantly to provide people with better access to healthcare and adequate sanitation
infrastructures. This work has become a high priority since the outbreak of a cholera
epidemic in Haiti in October 2010, which continues to threaten many regions of the
country.
Caritas members also support the rebuilding of schools and improvement of access to
education for children from poor families. Caritas helps farmers to improve their output
and thus combat malnutrition. Caritas takes care of the elderly who have lost everything
and are on their own with no other means of subsistence. Caritas has also provided psycho-
social assistance to people traumatised after the earthquake, especially children. Caritas
has helped women to start up new business activities to make them more self-sufficient and
improve the living standards of their families. The initiatives are as diversified as the needs
of the Haitian people.
Our report presents a series of snapshots of the initiatives undertaken by some Caritas
Confederation members in Haiti. These accounts are just a few examples of the many
projects carried out among and with the Haitian people.
| Rebuilding rural housing in Cap Rouge |  | Cap Rouge, a small town in a remote rural area, is perched on a humid plateau around 10 kilometres from Jacmel, which is considered to be the major town in south-eastern Haiti. |
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| Keeping cholera in check in Haiti |  | "When the cholera epidemic broke out in October 2010, we weren't prepared for it. We were unfamiliar with this disease, and during the first few weeks a large number of sick people came in to see us. Things weren't easy." |
| | Schools reopen in Haiti |  |
"When the school collapsed, what was essential was finding the children. The rest was just material,” said Sr. Josette Drouinaud of the Mère Delia Institute for primary and secondary school girls.
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| Healing trauma after Haiti's earthquake |  | Some were trapped in rubble for hours. Other lost loved ones. Thousands saw their homes destroyed. For survivors of Haiti's earthquake, grief and pain became constant companion. |
| | Quenching the rice fields' thirst |  | Fednor, a farmer, is preparing what will soon be the main source of food for his family – a rice field. In Joque, in the province of Les Cayes, rice growing is the most common agricultural activity. |
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| Haiti's elderly get their zest back |  | There are no pensions for the elderly in Haiti. They live off the financial and food aid they receive from their children. But many of these children had moved to Port-au-Prince or Jacmel to work. |
| | New homes for Haitians |  | Almost two years on from the earthquake of 12 January 2010, more than 600,000 people are still displaced in camps. They live in extremely precarious conditions and their health security is at risk. |
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