Oxfam has provided clean water to 250,000 people
“Our immediate priorities are providing safe water and shelter but we are committed to working in Haiti for the long haul.”
The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12 left the city of Port-au-Prince in ruins. Oxfam is working across multiple sites providing clean water, sanitation, shelter, seeds and running cash for work programs.
Our response in Haiti is reaching more than 440,000 people affected, with plans to extend this support during the following months.
With 1.5 million people fully dependent on shelter aid and the rainy season here, we are moving as fast as possible to help prepare new resettlements for the residents and decongest the current crowded camps.
Haiti earthquake response: Thank You
More detail on Oxfam's Haiti response
Explore Oxfam's response to the Haiti earthquake
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Water, sanitation and hygiene
We are pushing teams to work harder and do more, while maintaining our high quality standards. Our water, sanitation and hygiene activities are now reaching over 321,000 beneficiaries.
The UN has identified this as the main priority and the challenge is real. Through April only 5% of latrines had been installed; it is estimated that 18,000 latrines are needed in Port-au-Prince to support 900,000 people.
We are also working to improve existing sanitation coping mechanisms and promote good hygiene practices as part of a comprehensive sanitation strategy.
Haitian’s priorities
Jobs, education and shelter are most Haitian’s top priorities. In addition to displacement sites, we are also working in neighborhoods and communities to address the needs of host families. We are also working to expand our areas of aid outside of urban Port-au-Prince, including in the northern region of Artibonite, and in the south in Jacmel.
Oxfam's priorities for Haitian reconstruction
Beyond meeting the immediate needs of people, Oxfam has been advocating that long-term reconstruction must focus on five key areas:
- Support for Haitian farmers and small business
- Ensure poor areas benefit from cash grants to speed economic recovery
- Support for civil society and the Haitian government
- Build back better, for example earthquake proof buildings and alternative fuel sources to reduce deforestation
- Debt cancellation.
Read more
Oxfam report: Haiti: A Chance for Change – recommendations to rebuild Haiti with equity and opportunity
Latest Haiti blogs on our Conflict & Emergencies Blog channel
Follow @oxfam for the latest Oxfam International updates, reports, blogs and links to relevant content.
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