Photo Credits: Talia Frenkel: American Red Cross
Haiti earthquake Update: March 8, 2010
Almost two months after the Haiti earthquake which left an estimated 1.3 million homeless, the Red Cross and partner agencies have provided emergency shelter materials to more than 650,000 people or 1 out of every 2 survivors in need of shelter ahead of spring rains.
- Tens of thousands of tarpaulins, tents, ropes, timber uprights and toolkits continue to arrive in Haiti, helping to put some shelter over people's heads ahead of the rainy season which peaks in May.
- The Red Cross and partner agencies on shelter are reaching more than 80,000 people a week on average with tarpaulins, tents, ropes, timber uprights and toolkits.
- The Red Cross and partner agencies hope to reach about two thirds of those without shelter by April 1st, which is considered by many to be the on-average start of the rainy season.
- The Red Cross and its partners are on track to reach all 1.3 million people without shelter on or before the original target date of May 1st.
- To date we have distributed 85,279 tarps (two per household) and over 9,000 shelter kits to house 45,000 people.
The American Red Cross is working hard on long-term plans to help the people of Haiti recover from the earthquake and prepare for the upcoming rainy and hurricane seasons, even as emergency relief is expected to continue for several more months.
- While these recovery plans are being developed and put into place, the Red Cross continues to meet the immediate needs of 80,000 families in Port-au-Prince with basic relief supplies and food, and our emergency support will extend through June.
- As early as next week the American Red Cross intends to make a multimillion-dollar commitment to address emergency and transitional shelters, which are among Haiti’s most pressing needs.
- The Red Cross is already well on its way to providing emergency shelter supplies – tents, tarps and tools – for 400,000 people, which is one-third of the people estimated to need shelter. It is our priority to distribute all of these supplies before the rainy season officially begins on April 1, knowing the weather will cause significant hardship for those trying to recover from the earthquake.
- The Red Cross also plans to provide transitional shelters for 50,000 of the most vulnerable people. However, land issues may prevent us from moving as quickly as we would like.
- In coordination with other aid organizations, our assistance will be targeted primarily in Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacmel with some support going to host families in rural communities. To accomplish this, we will be expanding our pre-earthquake delegation in Haiti and partnering with local organizations, including the Haitian Red Cross.
- In coming months and years, the American Red Cross will work with partners to rebuild the many different services which communities require to function, including establishing water and sanitation systems, health programs, and sustainable livelihoods.
- The Red Cross, United Nations and the Government of Haiti are completing assessments of the longer-term recovery needs, and we are currently working with the Haitian Red Cross, partner organizations and most importantly, the survivors themselves to help make decisions about their future. As more details become available and plans are confirmed, we will share them with the American public, which has generously invested in Haiti through the work of the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross has helped nearly 1.9 million Haitians since the January 12 earthquake, and we expect to support hundreds of thousands of additional survivors in the years ahead until the last donated dollar is spent.
- In just under two months, the American Red Cross has spent or allocated $82 million in the areas of food and water, shelter, and health and family services. Two-thirds of the money spent or allocated is for food and water; 22 percent is for shelter, and 10 percent is for health and family services
- Since the earthquake struck in Haiti on January 12, the American Red Cross has raised approximately $333 million (as of 5:00 p.m. 03/2/10) for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts. More than $32 million has been pledged through mobile giving.
- Because of the generosity of donors, people in Haiti will receive immediate relief and resources, as well as the necessary support and training to help them recover and rebuild.
- The Red Cross will continue to invest the money entrusted to us by the American people in the most responsible way possible.
The American Red Cross is in Haiti as a part of the broader and coordinated Red Cross and Red Crescent network.
- The January 2010 earthquake in Haiti served as a catalyst for the largest American Red Cross international response since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Currently, we have more than 50 people in Haiti and others in nearby countries supporting the relief efforts.
- Working with approximately 600 Red Cross and Red Crescent teams from nearly 40 countries, we have formed a very powerful engine for relief in Haiti.
Quick Facts:
Focus Area Activity of the Global Red Cross Network Since January 12, 2010 Health - Nearly 33,600 people (or more than 1,000 people per day) have been treated by Red Cross health care facilities and mobile teams.
- Approximately 60,000 people have been vaccinated, including against measles.
- More than 23 million text messages with key health messages have been sent to survivors.
Relief - More than 31,500 families (or 157, 500 people) received items like hygiene kits and other basic relief supplies.
- More than 1 million people received food items.
Water and Sanitation - 30 million liters of drinking water (or more than 1.5 million liters per day) have been distributed.
- Estimated 290,000 people are benefiting from this regular service.
- More than 580 latrines have been built.
Shelter - More than 350,000 people received shelter supplies, including tents, tarps and tools.
Other - 97 relief flights and 51 sea shipments have arrived in the region.
- Nearly 40 countries (or 600 people) are currently represented by Red Cross and Red Crescent responders in Haiti.
- More than 100 people have been deployed by the American Red Cross to Haiti in support of the international relief operation since January 12. More than 50 remain in country now.
