Ensure the sustainability of clean water in Haiti

Hurricane Sandy has swept through Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti. Government officials have confirmed that 54 Haitian lives have been claimed by the storm, nearly twice the deathtoll of Tropical Storm Isaac, which hit Haiti less than two months ago.

As of October 30, 2012, President Martelly and Prime Minister Lamothe declared a State of emergency throughout Haiti because of the 54 deaths and the many problems the country now faces after the storm.

14,000 families have been left homeless, cholera is on the rise, and thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed resulting in a food shortage and price hike. 

Haiti's south was not the only region affected by the storm. In Port-au-Prince, thousands of school children in Cite Soleil are now without clean water because of the flooding caused by both Sandy and Isaac. The health of the children in Cite Soleil has been one of our main focuses over the past two years.

Because of the damage in Cite Soleil, we are going to truck water to the Cite Soleil schools so the children have clean water and can continue to learn. Diarrhea caused by waterborne diseases is the main reason children miss school in Haiti. The last thing these kids need is to miss a significant amount of school, as it will abate their abilty to find a good job as adults.   

In the month of July, International Action's Southeast team is going to bring 11 more schools clean water. These 11 schools are located in the cities of Jacmel and Bainet. All 11 schools have agreed to let local residents access their clean, safe water after school hours.

We continue to help young girls in Haiti by improving the quality of their educational institutes. One of the schools that we will be working with in July is an all girls school with over 1,200 students.

Please follow our page here at Global Giving and on our website, www.HaitiWater.org, to stay abreast of our progress in the Southeast of Haiti. Thank you for all the support.

Best regards,

The International Action Team

Links:

• www.HaitiWater.org