A water tap installed by CARE©Evelyn Hockstein/CARE

by Patrick Solomon, CARE USA SVP, Global Support Services

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Distribution of mattresses at one of our main sites today did not go as smooth and had to be cancelled.

Obviously, there is tension as aid has not always flowed in a timely fashion. Other agencies experienced similar problems at the same site.

Undaunted, CARE and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will meet tomorrow with the United Nations, military and municipal authorities to discuss the best way forward so that aid can be provided quickly to those most in need.

On the plus side, we were able to install the three water bladders in Léogâne, and we will put water in them tomorrow. Each holds 5,000 litres. There is a local committee of three women and three men in the town, who will be responsible for the maintenance and refilling of the bladders.

At this time, no one has knowledge of looting in the areas where we're working. We asked partners about the problem, and the good news is that it does not seem to be widespread. We will learn more tomorrow at our meeting.

At one of our main in town distribution sites, Pétionville, staff completely the preparatory work to begin distribution of hygiene kits today.

The CARE team has been working tirelessly to make sure that distributions happen to help the Haitian people. They have brainstormed good ideas on improving the process: choice of distribution location, the time of day we distribute, how much security is needed, having clear criteria as to when to shut down distributions and making sure planning is carried out beforehand.

To donate for this emergency, please contact your closest CARE International member.