Emergencies in Haiti

Léogàne needs to keep its health clinics

Léogàne needs to keep its health clinics

By Mathilde Magnier As many humanitarian organizations have started to withdraw their temporary medical units from the city of Léogàne, about 50 km from the capital Port-au-Prince, Caritas health centres are needed more than ever. 90% of the city was destroyed in the earthquake. Caritas provided emergency treatment during the first weeks after the disaster. ...

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Helping children in Haiti rebuild their lives

By Mathilde Magnier, Communications Officer in Haiti Protecting children remains a priority after the 12 January earthquake in Haiti. Four out of ten people are under 14 years old. The disaster threatens a child population that was already very vulnerable before the disaster. Caritas child protection staff reach more than 2,000 children with counselling in ...

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Graffiti for change in Haiti

By Mathilde Magnier Graffiti artist Jerry has been covering the walls of Haiti’s relief camps with his works of art. His objective is tough is to encourage the Haitians to apply basic hygiene principles. “I am spraying for change. It is my mission to talk to the Haitian people,” says Jerry. He has a spray ...

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Haitians making a living through cash-for-work

Haitians making a living through cash-for-work

Many Haitians have been left jobless after the dramatic quake that struck Port-au-Prince on January 12, claiming the lives of over 225,000 people. Two months after the event, employment is one of the most pressing issues in Haiti. Cash-for-work programmes remain the most significant sources of income in a country where up to 70 percent ...

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Haiti between emergency and reconstruction

By Mathilde Magnier Since the 12 January earthquake, emergency aid was centred on the Port-au-Prince area, often at the expense of rural regions close to the capital that were also very hard-hit by the disaster. At a time when everybody talks about reconstruction, emergency issues still need to be addressed.  With her hands full of ...

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Resettling earthquake survivors in Haiti

Resettling earthquake survivors in Haiti

Following Haiti’s earthquake in January 1.3 million people are homeless. They are spread across 200 camps and they live in desperately precarious situations. As the rainy season arrives it is essential to resettle these vulnerable people.  “These tents are spacious! At least we’ll stay dry tonight. But we’re so far from the centre of the ...

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Haiti two months later: shelter key concern

Haiti two months later: shelter key concern

By Mathilde Magnier, Caritas Communications Officer, Port-au-Prince Two months after a massive earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, leaving over 200,000 people dead, shelter for the displaced has become a major issue in Haiti. Caritas focuses on the distribution of emergency shelter kits and works on relocating relief camps out of the capital. “Finally a tarpaulin to cover ...

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Haiti’s regions struggling to cope with displaced people

By Mathilde Magnier More than 600,000 people have fled the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in search of shelter, food and solidarity after an earthquake devastated the city on January 12. The affected regions are struggling to cope with the massive arrival of refugees. In the small coastal town of Jérémie in the south of the island, ...

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