Emergency Response in Haiti

The American Refugee Committee’s emergency response team is on the ground in Haiti, bringing relief to some of the millions who were devastated by last week’s earthquake. We’ve flown in experts from all over the world in health, sanitation, water, protection, security, and logistics. They are working to reach as many people as possible, as quickly and effectively as possible. We are working in Port-au-Prince and Fond Parisien, to the east near the Dominican Republic border.

What we're doing:

1. Food and supply distribution

   We have distributed medical supplies, food, hygiene kits, and kitchen kits to thousands of desperate people in several locations. A cargo plane arrived on the 26th with items donated by 20 national companies. Donated items include tents, FEMA-grade tarps and plastic sheeting, roping, medical supplies, surgical supplies, respirator masks, SAT phones, solar lighting, and MREs. Additional supplies have arrived by sea.

2. Medical relief

   Our medical team is caring for patients at a clinic we've established at Terraine D'Acra settlement in Port-au-Prince. Each day, they see roughly 130 people suffering from a variety of ailments - injuries from the earthquake, malaria, respiratory infections, intestinal parasites, STDs, asthma, diabetes, hypertension. At the clinic, the doctors have been able to distribute medicines and medical supplies donated by people in the United States.

3. Shelter

   We have distributed emergency shelter materials and tents to hundreds of people. We plan to work with local Haitians to rebuild structures destroyed in the quake. After the Pakistan earthquake, we were able to develop pioneering technology in building reconstruction — building seismic-resistant three-story structures. This technology could be taught to local people.

4. Protection

   In emergencies, violence against women and children can often escalate due to stress and the breakdown of societal norms. We have protection specialists on the ground, working on an immediate response. They will meet with women’s focus groups to ensure their needs are addressed. Some actions could include: trauma and psychological care, referral networks and coordination, clinical management of rape, and strengthening of community and coping mechanisms.

   We've already begun creating “child-friendly” spaces in the Delmas district of Port-au-Prince, where children can play safely.

5. Forming Partnerships

   We are working to form partnerships with local and international NGOs to maximize our ability to respond most effectively. We are collaborating with the Office of the Mayor of Delmas and a local organization called Aimer Egale Servir (To Love is To Serve) to help us target our response to the people who need it most. We have hired local staff to help with logistics and reconstruction.

The American Refugee Committee has been responding to emergencies for over 30 years. The Tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, Darfur, the Balkan wars, Iraq, Cyclone Nargis — these are just a few of the emergencies we’ve responded to. After the initial emergency is over, we stay, helping people rebuild their homes and livelihoods and take back control of their lives.

Stay tuned for updates on what we’re doing in Haiti and how you can help. Your support is urgently needed. None of this would be possible without the partnership of our donors. Contributions in any amount can save lives. Please make a donation online today. Thank you.