Haiti earthquake: What Oxfam is doing
The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed an estimated 230,000 people, left more than one million others homeless, and destroyed much of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Oxfam is providing water, latrines, plastic sheeting, cash, and relief materials to those who have gathered in temporary camps both within the city and in hard-hit outlying areas.
In the first six months of our response to the quake, Oxfam aims to provide 500,000 people with assistance; we are now reaching more than 204,000.
Providing clean water and sanitation facilities
Oxfam began by trucking water to the major camps in Port-au-Prince and is now seeking out those living in small settlements that have sprung up in vacant lots and yards throughout the city. We are also undertaking water treatment and delivery in Leogane, Petit Goave, and Grand Goave - other towns in Haiti that were badly damaged by the quake.
When people are displaced from their homes in large numbers, latrines are essential to ensuring the safe disposal of waste. By providing privacy, they also help disaster survivors uphold their dignity under the trying conditions of camp life.
Delivering shelter and relief materials
Oxfam is distributing plastic sheets to help meet emergency needs for shelter. Our immediate goal is to provide sheeting to 28,000 people.
- Although we will also distribute some tents, at this moment in the emergency, plastic sheeting has an advantage over tents: it can shrink or expand to fit the space available.
- Soon we will begin distributing house-repair kits for people whose homes are reparable.
- And for the comfort and health of those forced to live in camp conditions, we’re providing a variety of relief materials.
- By the end of the week, we aim to distribute 10,000 family kits containing kitchen utensils, soap, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, and other personal items.
Paying cash for work
Oxfam has launched several cash-for-work projects, which give those living in camps a chance to earn an income while improving their environment by building latrines and clearing rubble.
Cash in hand helps earthquake survivors stay in the driver’s seat in their own recovery - able to purchase what they most want and need, such as the food that is now available on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Those purchases in turn support local suppliers and begin to bring Haiti’s economy back to life. See the cash-for-work program in action.
Our assessment of market conditions in Port-au-Prince shows there is sufficient food, but people do not have the money to purchase it. Oxfam has tested “cash for work” in crises around the world and found it more effective than food distribution as long as sufficient food is available on the market. It also helps restores dignity in difficult circumstances.
Map of Oxfam's response in Haiti
We're plotting our work on a Google map – in photos, videos and links – to give you a clearer picture of what we're doing and where. You can even find a photo of our damaged office in Port-au-Prince.
Working closely with communities
To be sure that our programs meet the needs and priorities of community members, Oxfam is working in close consultation with camp residents and the leaders they’ve chosen.
Coordinating with other aid providers
Oxfam is also playing a key role in coordinating with other international agencies to ensure that, as the aid response unfolds, water is distributed equitably and in sufficient quantities.
Read more
About Oxfam's emergency response in Haiti
Latest Haiti blogs on our Conflict & Emergencies Blog channel
Take action
Donate to the Emergency Fund of the Oxfam closest to you.
Updated 5 March 2010
