What was the situation in Haiti following the earthquake?
When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-Prince on 12 January
2010, the city became a disaster zone. In a country that already
had widespread poverty and poor infrastructure, more than one
million people were left homeless, and 222,570 people were killed.
World Vision had been working in Haiti for almost 30 years, and our
presence there meant our staff were some of the first on the
ground, quickly starting work on what has become one of the largest
disaster relief responses in World Vision's history.
New Zealanders generously gave World Vision over $2.1 million to
the Haiti earthquake appeal, which has been vital in our ongoing
emergency response.
Issues faced: Earthquake, emergency relief,
long-term rehabilitation.
Focus areas: Haiti.
How is World Vision helping the people of Haiti?
World Vision's response efforts so far have included:
- Distributing food to more than 2.5 million people
- Managing 27 camps for displaced families
- Providing clean water to hundreds of thousands of people
- Moving 14,000 people into transitional shelters
- Reuniting over 1000 children with family
- Providing thousands of children with a safe place to play,
learn and receive psychosocial support through child-friendly
spaces
- Running a cholera response and education programme, reaching
almost 200,000 people
Despite these achievements, there is still significant work to
be done in Haiti. World Vision is committed to long-term
development to help the people of Haiti build a better future. This
will include helping more families move from displacement camps
into safer housing, helping with livelihood and educational
training, equipping and improving schools, and continuing to
improve nutrition and water and sanitation.
How can I help other disaster survivors?
You can help World Vision respond immediately to future
disasters, like the Haiti earthquake, by making a Children in
Crisis Emergency Fund donation or starting a monthly donation
today by calling 0800 90 5000.