SUCCESSIVE STORMS RAVISH HAITI

The poorest country in the Americas has been devastated by four tropical storms and hurricanes: Fay, Gustav, Hannah and Ike. All ten provinces in Haiti have been hit, but the most severe damage occurred in central Artibonite province, home to a number of Medicine For Peace programs. Hurricane winds along with torrential rain, flooding and mudslides occurred at the end of August into the first week of September. As of September 17, 2008 flood waters were beginning to recede but the crisis continues and access to many parts of Haiti is impossible.

The Government of Haiti (GOH) and the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have released the following vital statistics:

• Total Affected Population- 850,000
• Dead- 423
• Missing- 50
• Displaced- 151,072
• Displaced Persons in Shelters- 111,391
• Other Damage- @ 11,000 homes and many tens of thousands damaged

Gonaives, the third largest city in Haiti, was the hardest hit. It lies along the northwest coast and was covered with up to eight feet of water. It is feared that the damage may exceeded that sustained during Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, when approximately 3000 residents of Gonaives died. During the past few weeks, people sought refuge on roofs, as shown in photo, and in more than 150 crowded and unhygienic temporary shelters, many in empty spaces or schools. The vast majority are still displaced from there homes, many of which have been washed away or are not fit for habitation. The security situation in the shelters remains tense due to what residents perceive as an unduly slow response by relief agencies to the emergency.

There are a number of acute and intermediate range problems that must be addressed in order to get through this disaster without more loss of life.

Food, water, and sanitation. Haiti has only just recovered from a food shortage crisis that brought down the ruling Government. Stores of food were already low and many GOH food warehouses lost food stockpiles during the storms. Further, the current harvests have suffered considerably from the torrential rain and flooding, including the “rice bowl” in the Artibinite valley. The UN Word Food Program has been able to bring supplies, including energy biscuits, dry rations, beans, and rice to Gonaives via boat and helicopter, and it is anticipated that overland routes may be accessible within the next few weeks. Many peasants not only lost their crops but their small animals (goats, pigs) were washed away, as well.

Practically all water sources have been contaminated by flood waters made foul by animal waste and overflowing septic tanks. Potable water in bottles is being distributed by the GOH and UN Agencies. Getting the water to the needy remains a critical and difficult problem. The price of water has also skyrocketed since the crisis began.

Gonaives does not have a functional municipal sanitation system and most of the latrines are not working at present. Many residents relieve themselves where they can or in paper bags that are then discarded into the streets.

Health situation. Many of the health facilities have been flooded out and are not operating, but the GOH reports that there are four clinics functioning in the Gonaives area. The majority of cases being seen are related to contaminated flood waters and general unhygienic conditions residents are now living in. Diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections, and female genital infections are the most common ailments being care for. There have been an up spike in suspected malaria cases, and it is feared as stagnant water persists, mosquito-borne infections like malaria and Dengue fever will be a major problem. Careful public health epidemiological monitoring will be crucial over the next weeks to months.

A number of foreign medical relief organizations, including Medicine For Peace, are mobilizing to assist Haitian health workers to care for the ill during the next months.

Infrastructure. Many roads are cut off by flooding or mud slides, making movement from one part of Haiti to adjacent areas impossible. Bridges on the national highway were either submerged or washed away. Boats and helicopters remain the only feasible way to move relief supplies from one area to another. As water recedes and some movement becomes possible by land, it is anticipated that an accelerated distribution of relief supplies and materials to rebuild roads, bridges, buildings and homes may begin. That will require an enormous international effort of funds and personnel.

Haiti, like many poor countries, is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. The country’s hills have been stripped of trees leading to massive run off and flood waters. The road and bridge system of transportation is marginal and often difficult to navigate even during the normal rainy season. Poorly nourished elderly and children cannot withstand the more deprivation or disease epidemics. Because of the always present acute problems of malnutrition, poor health care and political instability, the critical issue of disaster preparedness has never been sufficiently addressed in this desperately impoverished country.

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