In Haiti the Caritas network has provided food rations to 20,000 people across six departments after several tropical storms caused flooding, landslides and sea surges. After four tropical storms in less than a month, 600,000 people are homeless and Haiti's death toll may never be known.
Caritas Haiti is providing water and sanitation facilities and is also distributing bottled water, hygiene kits, household items and providing temporary shelter to families affected by the floods.
Caritas Australia endeavors to respond to the most serious global humanitarian emergencies there are some instances in which our response may be limited due to the geographic location, nature of the emergency and or / concurrent competing priorities. In such instances we work closely with our extensive Caritas Confederation network by focusing accepted donations towards the specific emergency response (funding in some of these instances may not be subject to tax deductibility) .
The emergency response and early recovery efforts following Hurricanes Gustav and Hannah that devastated Haiti in 2008 exemplify the strength of the Caritas Confederation network and approach. Caritas Australia is committed to working in partnership with our local implementing partners, supporting local responses and enhancing their capacity to cope to assist the most vulnerable people affected by disaster based on need.
An emergency appeal for US$4.3 million has been launched to respond to immediate needs.