By Hassan Zayamu
The United Nations and partners have launched a $187.3 million appeal to support half a million people affected by the deadly earthquake in southwestern Haiti nearly two weeks ago.
The funding will be used to provide shelter, water and sanitation, emergency healthcare, food, protection and early recovery
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14 killed more than 2,200 people and injured over 12,000 others. More than 130,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, along with other infrastructure such as roads.
The tragedy was followed by Tropical Storm Grace just two days later, which dumped extremely heavy rains in affected areas, causing flash floods and mudslides.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, aid partners, under the leadership of the Haitian Government, began a massive relief operation. Search and rescue, and medical teams, are working to find survivors and provide urgent medical care in hard-to-reach areas.
“Haiti and its people need the world’s solidarity more than ever today as they deal with multiples crises at the same time.
“In the context of this response, moving towards recovery, and taking into account lessons learned from the devastating 2010 earthquake, it will be absolutely essential to support and rally behind national leadership and coordination efforts, support national and local capacities, systems, economic actors, and to build on Haitian knowledge and expertise for a contextualized response,” said Bruno Lemarquis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
The earthquake impacted some 800,000 Haitians. The appeal targets 500,000 of the most vulnerable people of the 650,000 identified to be in need of assistance.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, who travelled to Haiti last week, witnessed firsthand the disastrous humanitarian situation, and the pain and suffering of those who lived through the earthquake.
“The UN and our international partners need the support of the international community in providing vital supplies to help us build back better from this catastrophe. We cannot and must not leave the people of Haiti behind,” she said in a video message shared on her Twitter account.
Meanwhile, a surge in gang-related violence in recent months has displaced roughly 19,000 people in areas near the Haitian capital, which has made it difficult to reach the areas affected by the earthquake.
The UN’s Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, underscored the urgent need for immediate funding and humanitarian access.
“We need safe and unimpeded access to all people in need. All parties, including armed groups, must ensure that humanitarian organizations and aid supplies have sustained and safe access to the affected areas,” he said.
