Latin America

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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Chile’s worst hit region gets aid

Chile’s worst hit region gets aid

By Andreas Lexer, Caritas Communications Officer in Chile “This region is the poorest one in the country“, says Jorge Brito, Executive Director of Caritas Maule. “And it is also the most affected one!” More than 400 people died here, more than in any other region in Chile. Some one million people live in Maule, more ...

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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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School’s out in Haiti – but hopefully not forever

School’s out in Haiti – but hopefully not forever

Most pupils like to get a day off school, but for Haiti’s children it’s not just a day but months. January’s earthquake destroyed 90 percent of schools, leaving children without an education “The schools must be reopened, children have to go back to their studies as quickly as possible,” says Fr Zucchi, head of four ...

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On the menu for children in Haiti

On the menu for children in Haiti

The risks to children following Haiti’s earthquake include not only trafficking but also hunger. Up to 24 percent of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition in Haiti. In poorer areas, this figure is even greater. One of Caritas’ priorities in the earthquake’s aftermath has been to supply regular food to the survivors. So far, ...

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Caritas aid in Chile getting to the people who need is most

Ruben Sebulbeda hugs his little 18 month granddaughter Anina to his chest. Just like he did a week ago. When the earthquake struck Chile on Saturday, February 28th, in the dead of night, he woke up. Everything in his little house in the village of Santa Clara had fallen on the floor. Ruben Sebulbda and ...

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