PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The U.S. Government is working in support of the Government of Haiti’s relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The storm affected the West Department and the southern peninsula, displacing people due to flooding and causing significant damage to agriculture.
“The USG is doing everything possible to support the Government of Haiti in its heroic efforts to serve the Haitian people. Today, October 31st, I requested additional funds from Washington. We anticipate providing disaster assistance for agriculture, the sector hardest hit by Sandy in Southern Haiti,” stated U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Pamela White.
Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. relief supplies are being distributed to families in some of the areas most affected by Sandy. To date, USAID has distributed plastic sheeting to help approximately 10,000 people, family hygiene kits to help nearly 12,500 people, and an estimated 6,400 blankets. USAID has also provided items such as wheelbarrows and tools helpful for clean-up to displacement camps most affected by the hurricane. These relief and clean-up supplies were pre-positioned prior to hurricane season in key locations across Haiti, allowing for rapid distribution when needed.
To help address serious food insecurity concerns, USAID is providing 50 metric tons of food to 9,250 people for a 15-day immediate emergency food provision to South Department and continues to discuss additional ways to assist with food insecurity with the Government of Haiti.
Because increased cases of cholera remain a concern, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided 2,500 pints of Lactated Ringer’s solution, an intravenous solution for treating cholera, to Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population.
The Government of Haiti’s Department of Civil Protection and Civil Protection Committee, as well as international relief agencies, continue to work together to assess the situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The United States will continue to support Haiti’s relief and recovery efforts in the weeks and months to come.
