Help us respond to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti

Dear Supporter,

With your generous support, Concern Worldwide continues to assist Haiti in its recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew. Nearly six months ago, Hurricane Matthew tore through Haiti, devastating the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. The storm destroyed homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure, leaving more than 10% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. The situation remains dire in Haiti: more than 800,000 people urgently need food assistance, almost 150,000 people are still displaced, and the damage to the agricultural sector is estimated at over $500 million.

Concern continues to support Haitian communities as they rebuild and recover from Hurricane Matthew. While most of the damage from the storm was concentrated in the southern and northern regions of the country, many other regions were also hard hit. Among those was Haiti’s largest island of La Gonâve, just off the coast of Port-au-Prince, where over 20% of the population was severely affected by the hurricane.

Already one of Haiti’s poorest areas, La Gonâve suffered heavy losses to agriculture and livestock, as well as destruction of sanitation infrastructure, agricultural and fishing equipment, and many homes. With means of food production damaged and markets unable to function, food prices on the island have increased over the past few months. Many people have trouble affording food, and even those that can afford food face difficulties accessing it, as 80% of La Gonâve’s infrastructure was damaged by Hurricane Matthew’s punishing rains.

In response to the need in La Gonâve, Concern conducted seven distributions, assisting over 8,000 people. Recipients were provided with essential items, such as hygiene kits, tarpaulins, jerry cans, and tents. After the storm destroyed sanitation facilities, including toilets, and left behind stagnant water, cholera quickly became a worry. Concern supplied water purification tablets to ensure people have access to safe drinking water and educated residents on cholera prevention. Though cholera swept through the country’s southern peninsula after the hurricane, Concern recorded zero cases of the disease on La Gonâve.

To help the hundreds of families whose homes were swept away in the rain and flood waters, Concern has also distributed nearly 500 shelter repair kits. In addition to the tools, recipients received support and training to build better, more resilient homes.

The rehabilitation of over a mile of strategic roads on La Gonâve has been a critical step in the recovery process. Through a cash-for-work program, Concern worked with residents to rebuild almost 4,000 feet of road that connects Anse-à-Galets to Points-à-Raquettes, the two main towns on the island. Another stretch of road was rehabilitated between Anse-à-Galets and Palma, which is vital for those who rely on the road to reach the main market.

More than 250 of the island’s poorest and most vulnerable households participated in the program over approximately two weeks, and the vital cash injections helped families purchase food and cover basic needs during a difficult time.

On behalf of Concern and the communities on La Gonâve, we send our sincerest thanks for your compassion and support.