Module 4: Haiti Earthquake One-Year Report

The earthquake displaced more than 1.5 million people in Haiti, with most now living in densely populated makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince or with host families outside the capital.

The earthquake displaced more than 1.5 million people in Haiti, with most now living in densely populated makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince or with host families outside the capital.

The global Red Cross network plans to provide 30,000 transitional or basic homes for 150,000 Haitians.

These homes can withstand inclement weather, include access to water and latrines, and are designed so they can be dismantled should residents need to move and reuse the materials to enhance a future more permanent home.

Although a transitional home can be assembled considerably faster than a permanent one, construction has been hampered by a series of complex obstacles such as persuading land owners to donate or sell appropriate land in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere; removing tons of rubble left behind by the earthquake; and working with community leaders to identify the most vulnerable people to be recipients of these homes.

In order to truly recover, Haitians will need durable, permanent homes located in communities with functioning roads, water and sanitation systems and near an economic base for livelihoods.

Converting rubble into building materials is one of the innovative solutions we are exploring, whether we repair existing homes or build new ones.

When the first cases of cholera were reported in October, 50 miles from the capital, the Red Cross knew there was potential for a large-scale disease outbreak.

When the first cases of cholera were reported in October, 50 miles from the capital, the Red Cross knew there was potential for a large-scale disease outbreak.

Within days, we launched public education campaigns around the country, including in the densely-populated camps of Port-au-Prince.

Within days, we launched public education campaigns around the country, including in the densely-populated camps of Port-au-Prince.

Seven days a week, hundreds of health volunteers and staff have traveled tent to tent to talk to residents about how to prevent, identify and treat cholera, as well as to provide soap and water purification tablets.

Seven days a week, hundreds of health volunteers and staff have traveled tent to tent to talk to residents about how to prevent, identify and treat cholera, as well as to provide soap and water purification tablets.

The need for clean, drinkable water and basic sanitation was critical before the earthquake and continues a year later, especially in light of the growing cholera response.

Even as the Red Cross works to provide water and sanitation services for existing camps, we are also equipping our transitional homes with family latrines, rainwater collection systems installed on roofs and water storage containers.

Reducing the Risks of Future Disasters

The American Red Cross worked for months with the Haitian Red Cross to help tens of thousands of residents reinforce steep embankments with sandbags, dig trenches to allow for runoff during heavy rainstorms, clear ditches to improve drainage, install early warning systems and learn first aid.

The global Red Cross network also pre-positioned enough relief supplies for 125,000 people to facilitate rapid distributions after a disaster.

But today, the 13-year-old has been asked to participate in a skit, playing the role of a flood that is threatening residents of the camp where he and hundreds of other earthquake victims live under makeshift tarps and tents.

A manager in the American Red Cross disaster preparedness and risk-reduction program, Richard oversees training for dozens of Haitian staff and volunteers who interact on a daily basis with victims of the January earthquake.

A manager in the American Red Cross disaster preparedness and risk-reduction program, Richard oversees training for dozens of Haitian staff and volunteers who interact on a daily basis with victims of the January earthquake.

“To be the best you can be takes repetition and persistence.”

Prior to Hurricane Tomas making landfall in early November, the Red Cross sent out millions of text messages like this one, providing information on how to minimize risks during the storm.

Empowering Haitians With Microfinance and Cash Grants

To alleviate some of these pressures, the American Red Cross has been providing millions of dollars in financial assistance through partnerships with organizations like Fonkoze.

Most recently, the American Red Cross has expanded cash-for-work programs to support projects identified as priorities by the communities themselves.

In addition to improving the quality of life in communities, these jobs have provided workers with much-needed cash and helped them acquire new skills, which can be used to find future jobs.

Cash grants funded by the American Red Cross have enabled tens of thousands of Haitians to buy food and cooking fuel, repay debts, send their children to school or restock small businesses.

Recognizing that thousands of families took in desperate friends and relatives like Benjamin after the earthquake—one family in this area has 15 displaced people living in their home—the American Red Cross has been providing assistance to host families across the country.