Haiti Earthquake Emergency Relief

Summary

Since arriving in Haiti, RI has built upon its existing emergency programming to create sustainable infrastructure for families through improved access to health care, water and sanitation services.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 has left the country in ruins. Over one hundred thousand have been killed and almost 200,000 injured. Public infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, and government buildings have collapsed, and private homes are decimated. As a result, standing hospitals are overwhelmed with victims, and one million people are left homeless.

How will this project solve this problem?

RI has expanded current emergency programming to provide support in the health, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors by establishing five medical clinics, mobile medical teams, and initiating sanitation and water improvements in ten locations.

Potential Long Term Impact

With further assessments ongoing, RI is providing emergency relief assistance with a vision to transition to long-term recovery efforts, including infrastructure reconstruction and rebuilding livelihoods.

Project Message

“I was struck by the fact that these patients had no other options. If our small RI team wasn’t there, people would be dying. We have treated 400 people in the last 48 hours.”
- Dr. Orna Hananel, , Volunteer Doctor/First Responder for RI/Haiti

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources