GONAIVES, HAITI (September 15, 2008) – As aid begins to reach survivors of a devastating series of tropical storms, CARE is calling for a longer-term strategy to reduce the impact of the next emergency in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
According to Sophie Perez, CARE country director in Haiti , international donors must support not only immediate relief, but investment in reducing the factors that make Haiti uniquely vulnerable to storm damage, including widespread deforestation.
“Right now, our immediate priority is delivering emergency food supplies and helping people access safe water,” said Perez. “We’ve been able to complete the initial round of food distribution effectively, and with minimum disruptions to order. However, it’s inevitable that another powerful storm will hit sooner or later, and Haiti needs help implementing ways to lessen the impact of storms.”
Haiti is almost completely deforested, causing extreme soil erosion and leaving the land incapable of absorbing excess rainfall. The result is that Haitian towns can suffer serious flooding from even relatively minor storms. Perez said large-scale reforestation and watershed management efforts are needed to reverse the environmental degradation. Promoting alternative fuels could also help reduce the country’s dependence on charcoal for cooking, which drives people to cut what remaining trees are left standing.
In Gonaives and other affected areas, CARE will work with the local government and partner organizations to rehabilitate water systems, support access to quality education, help Haitians develop improved income sources and lessen chronic food insecurity.
In cooperation with partner agencies and with UN security forces, CARE is expanding distributions over the coming days, in order to reach every neighborhood in rotation and ultimately the whole population of Gonaives - about 200,000 people. Access to the most affected areas remains a challenge, with 30 percent of the town still under water and rain continuing to fall in the surrounding mountains.
Contact: Rick Perera, +1 404 979 9453, mobile: +1 404 457 4649, [email protected]
About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience delivering emergency aid during times of crisis. Our emergency responses focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly girls and women. Women and girls are at the heart of CARE’s emergency relief efforts because our experience shows that their gains translate into benefits for families and communities.