Devastation after hurricane “Matthew” in Haiti, 2016. The island state has been frequently hit by natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes. Photo: LWF Haiti
After the storm, people need shelter, hygiene, and access to safe water
(LWI) - Communities across Haiti are facing urgent humanitarian needs after Hurricane Melissa brought days of torrential rain, powerful winds, and severe flooding. The joint Lutheran World Federation (LWF)/Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) office is working with local partners to help people in the hardest-hit communities.
In Petit-Goâve, local partners report that the Digue river overflowed, claiming at least 19 lives. Many of them were children. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed. Displaced families are taking shelter in churches, hotels, and private homes. Flooding has also affected displaced persons sites in Logne and disrupted health services, said Borry Jatta, LWF/NCA Country Representative in Haiti.
“We stand alongside our partners and Haitian communities at this critical time. We are focused on rapid, coordinated action to ensure the most affected families receive life-saving support as soon as possible,” he added.
Access to remote areas remains difficult due to mudslides and washed-out roads. In Grand’Anse, local partner FNGA has provided shelter and vital supplies to 450 displaced people through local partner FNGA. Across the South and West, flooding has destroyed crops and livestock, leaving families without food for months to come.
The people of Haiti urgently need shelter, hygiene items, access to clean water, and protection from waterborne diseases such as cholera. –
Borry JATTA, LWF/ NCA Country Representative in Haiti
The LWF/NCA Haiti Program is coordinating closely with other diaconal organizations in the ACT Alliance and national authorities. Emergency assessments, cash support, hygiene and shelter kits, and protection services are underway.
“The people of Haiti urgently need shelter, hygiene items, access to clean water, and protection from waterborne diseases such as cholera”, Jatta said. “In the future, they will also need help to recover their agricultural activities, as the fields have been flooded and harvests destroyed. We will also increase our work on supporting civil protection committees and disseminating early-warning information.”
