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. ...
By Mathilde Magnier Seated on a little bench in the shade of the large tarpaulins that are used as class rooms on her former school playground, Kethia Phélizaire is straightening the creases on her skirt and brushing of dust from her sandals with great care. “I need to take good care of my school uniform, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
By Mathilde Magnier “Mud, mud, mud! There is mud everywhere! This place is a big mess,“ says Guylaine. Her feet are covered with mud. The rain has softened up the earth. With a dazed look, the old woman stares at what is left of her shelter, that was made of a pile of old clothes ...
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 ...
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, ...