Haiti is in crisis. Again.
The number of people killed by Hurricane Matthew has now risen to more than 450, and the towns that were most severely affected by the storm are at serious risk for shortages of clean water, food, and supplies.
The storm’s effects on Haiti could be catastrophic and long-lasting. Infrastructure was destroyed, crops were flooded, and the people of Haiti — still recovering from the 2010 earthquake and a cholera outbreak that infected more than half a million Haitians and killed more than 8,000 — are among the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, without economic resources to rebuild.
The US military and a variety of aid organizations are already on the ground in Haiti, working with the local government to bring medical help and supplies to those in need.
So what can you do? How can you help the people of Haiti now? Read on to discover how different aid organizations are providing medicine, water, housing supplies, and food to those in need, and how you can help.
Food, cooking fuel and clean water . next concern, hygiene and cholera #HurricaneMatthew#MatthewHaiti@fmsc_orgpic.twitter.com/ldlWduiBOG
— GOALS Haiti (@goalshaiti) October 6, 2016
UNICEF
The United Nations’ Children’s Fund said that getting clean water to children in Haiti is its first priority. It is distributing water bladders, hygiene kits, water purification tablets, and mosquito nets now, and is asking people to donate or host fundraisers.
Sign up to host a fundraiser here or donate here.
The Red Cross
The International Federation of Red Cross has 3,000 volunteers and staff members trying to get help to Haitians stuck in remote areas.
Sending a 50-ton barge w/ over a million meals, water, and medical supplies today to some of the hardest hit areas. #HurricaneMatthew#Haitipic.twitter.com/pxK1fkmSV0
— Mission Of Hope (@mohhaiti) October 7, 2016
World Vision
The Christian charity World Vision had staff in Haiti ahead of the storm with tarps, blankets, water containers, and hygiene kits ready for distribution. It is giving out blankets, toiletries, and bottled water to displaced Port-au-Prince families and plans to help 15,000 families. It is asking for donations, and includes a way to ask for donations on wedding and gift registries.
Operation Blessing International
The relief organization has been distributing medicine, chlorine, and fortified rice to communities hit by the storm. The group said there is a “great need” for medicine as patients are displaced from damaged hospitals and towns.
In #Haiti we must get clean water & hygiene items to families quickly to avoid the spread of disease. You CAN help. #HurricaneMatthewpic.twitter.com/M1q02mOCAO
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) October 7, 2016
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services workers have traveled to hard-to-reach areas in the hardest hit part of Haiti and say the families there need emergency shelter materials including tarps, ropes, and blankets, as well as drinking water and hygiene supplies. Families also need living supplies and money to cover their immediate needs. CRS has committed an initial $5 million to help.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan's Purse has airlifted 21 tons of hygiene kits, water filters, blankets, and plastic sheets to Haiti along with a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to coordinate the distribution of these items to thousands of suffering Haitians on the Tiburon peninsula.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been operating schools, clinics, hospitals, and outreach programs in Haiti for decades and is accepting donations to help in the crisis.