Fight the spread of COVID-19 in Rural Haiti

The Coronavirus pandemic continues to scar people across Haiti physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.  We remain grateful that the death toll in Haiti has not hit the astronomical numbers that we've seen around the world, but financially it has impacted in ways that we could not have anticipated.  Farmers left with harvests that could not be sold due to quarantine orders, land that could not be planted on due to lack of financing or access to supplies, families that could not be fed due to lack of financial means.  The ripple effect of this pandemic continues to stun many.

This third phase of our COVID-19 response allowed us to distribute an addtional 2,500 masks to organization members throughout the Artibonite, South and Northwest regions as well as materials which enabled them jumpsrat their delayed planting seasons.  Additional hand soap, disinfectant and buckets were also distributed to assist our partners in keeping their families and communities safe.  

We were able to embark on the support phase which assists farmers in acquiring the materials necessary to begin planting production.  This started with 14 organizations (7 in the South, 7 in the Artibonite). Within those organizations, 350 farmers were be able to participate and receive this support.  Planting activities have already started with cultures that will not take long (3-4 months tops) to harvest.  

We anticipate a plentiful harvest for these farmers as we continue to reach more.  It is impossible without your ongoing support!

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Phases I & II of this COVID-19 prevention program came to a close as of late June; 5400+ individuals had been infected by the virus, with nearly 100 deaths. Health experts estimate that the real numbers may be ten times the reported amounts, given lack of testing, outdated methods of tracking cases, impracticability of lockdown for the majority of the population, and the unjustified stigmatization attached with the infection.

Despite the lockdown, Lambi Fund had continued its work in the field because it is vital to the survival of many Haitians.  Rural Haiti has been impacted directly through the influx of family members who returned to the countryside from the city to take shelter.  While that was happening, we conducted the prevention and preparedness campaign in support of our rural partners, their families and the communities they live in.  Here are a few of the activities that were accomplished:

• 60 organizations participated in the education portion of the program and received disease prevention materials needed during the onset of the crisis. 
• More than 150,000 people were sensitized to simple steps to avoid catching COVID-19.  
• 3000 members of 60 partner organizations obtained hand washing materials such as masks, bleach, and soap.  
• 3,000 members of 35 partner organizations received a grant to purchase first necessity products.
• Awareness messages were broadcasted on community radio stations where our partner organizations are located. 
• Text messages were sent to Organization members who have smartphones in an effort to make them aware of the precautions to be taken so that the disease does not attack them.
• The regional monitors and partner organization officials assisted the organizations in identifying the radio stations that had COVID-19 programs and when they would be broadcasted.

Organization members and others in the community are able to implement more easily all the measures they need to take to protect themselves and to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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