In the week of May 24th, Caribbean storms dropped six feet of rain in a few days. These rains triggered huge, fast and very destructive floods in the southern hill country.

The latest statistics from the U.N. are:
• 1,059 dead
• 1,606 still missing
• 1,698 houses destroyed and 1687 damaged.
• 6,200 families (more than 30,000 people) have been affected by the floods, the majority of which have been forced from their homes.

The crisis is made far worse because Haiti is a country ill-equipped to manage daily life, much less this disaster. Just three months ago a provisional government took power when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted. The new administration is broke and unable to effectively respond to this disaster.

Relief efforts have been swift but agencies are being severely hampered by the lack of access. Many flood-hit towns are impossible to reach except from the air. And continuing rain has hampered the access even of helicopters. With clean drinking water at a premium and the widespread rupture of sewage lines, and many corpses in the water, authorities said there is the added worry of epidemics. The spring rains have been far heavier than usual. Both Haiti's deep poverty and unstable politics complicate the country's ability to recover. The spring rains will continue, and June is also hurricane season.

Report from The Field

Esperandieu Pierre,
Campus Crusade for Christ, Haiti

The village of Fonds Verettes is situated at the base of mountains along a river. Heavy rains fell for 10 hours and the flood waters were so powerful and destructive that everything they touched was destroyed. 21,000 people were left homeless. Almost 1000 dead, hundreds still missing.

"It is a catastrophic situation."

The need is unprecedented. The survivors are destitute, they have absolutely nothing. They need food, clothing, shelter, clean drinking water. They are also all in state of shock and mourning.

This village is one where CCC Haiti has been working in the past, showing the JESUS film and training local Christian leaders. Esperandieu is working with pastors and leaders in the local churches to coordinate a quick response to the crisis. For years CCCC has been faithfully doing spiritual ministry but Haiti needs also tangible expressions of God's love.

Key Project Operations

The focus of New Life World Aid, Global Aid Newtork and Campus Crusade for Christ, Haiti, will be the villages of Mapou and Fonds Verettes.

• Our staff on the ground will procure nutritious food and make up food kits that will feed a familiy of 5 for 1 week.
• These emergency items will be transported to Mapou and Fonds Verettes by truck or helicopter.
• Our distributions will target those who are completely without other assistance.
• Our response will be in partnership with the local churches.

Current Activities

150 families in 3 villages of Fond Verettes received aid June 19. Each family was given a 50 pound bag of rice, a gallon of cooking oil and 9 bars of washing soap, plus the equivalent of US$8.00 to purchase other items they require to cook meals. The rice given will feed a family for at least 2 weeks. Distribution took place in local churches where the coordinator from the Civil Protection Office commented afterwards, “this was the best distribution that ever took place since the disaster hit Fond Verettes.”

Planning is underway for a second distribution to the most needy families in other areas which have not received any aid.

Project Costs:

The food kits will feed a family of five for 1 week. The cost of one kit is 26 Dollars. That works out to 5 dollars/person/week.

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PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION:
Philip Morris, Project Manager
Phone: 604-514-2026
e-mail: info@newlifeworldaid.org