An estimated 4,000 families were affected and 27 people were killed when heavy rains and floods hit the southern peninsula of Haiti at the end of May. Roads and bridges have been seriously damaged making deliveries of emergency supplies difficult or impossible. Over 1,400 houses and 17 schools were also damaged. The water level in the rivers remains high and the government has declared a state of emergency in two departments in the country.
The affected families, most of whom are farmers, lost not only their homes, but also their livestock and crops in the surging water. Catholic Relief Services' is coordinating its response to the flooding from its office in Les Cayes, Haiti.

Catholic Relief Services Responds

CRS/Haiti is working with Caritas Les Cayes, the Haitian Government, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) among others to assess the situation and coordinate its emergency response.

In a meeting with other partner aid agencies, it was decided that CRS would take the lead in providing assistance to the affected population. CRS, in conjunction with other aid agencies and Caritas, have delivered aid to all of the affected communities, including food aid to more than 3,000 families. In July, CRS also began delivering 8,000 pounds of HTH (calcium hypochlorite) to disinfect drinking water in most of the affected communities.

CRS' longer term plans include providing agricultural assistance to the farmers who lost their crops, and developing income-generating activities in a rehabilitation program that will put farmers back to work.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti is committing $50,000 to CRS for its relief and rehabilitation efforts on the southern coast of Haiti, where CRS is the only non-governmental organization working in the area.

Background

Between May 24 and 27, a powerful weather system swept across the northern Caribbean causing intense flooding and landslides along Haiti's southern coast. The areas affected include Port-a-Piment, Les Cayes (the location of CRS/Haiti's field office), l'Acul, Arniquet and Camp-Perrin in the South Department and Anse A Veau, Petit Trou de Nippes, Asile and Baradères in the Grand'Anse department.

CRS began working in Haiti in 1954, after Hurricane Hazel devastated the island. Initially, the agency's work was primarily in response to the massive loss of life and destruction caused by the hurricane. However, over the past 48 years, the program has grown to include both emergency relief activities and long-term development work. Today, CRS/Haiti has two offices, one in Port-au-Prince with 140 staff members, and one in Les Cayes with 80 staff members.

Donations can also be made by calling:
1-800-736-3467
or by sending checks to:
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090.

Copyright=A92002 CRS