The majority of Haitians rely solely on farming for their food and income, and these families have been hit hard: Hurricane Matthew comes on the heels of the country's worst drought in 50 years, and many people had not yet fully recovered from the earthquake in 2010 and lacked access to the food they needed to survive. Mercy Corps will provide clean water, facilitate cash programs to stimulate the local economy, and help farmers recoup damaged crops and livestock to help rebuild for the future
Haiti is the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, and many families are still recovering from the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced nearly 2.3 million more. Around 60,000 people are still living in displacement camps due to that crisis. UNOCHA now reports 2.1 million people have been affected, and an estimated 750,000 are in need of assistance.
Immediately following the storm, Mercy Corps distributed emergency supplies, like safe drinking water and hygiene kits, to help people meet their immediate needs. To help stimulate the economy and support families' quick recovery, we plan to provide cash so people can buy the things they need rebuild. And we plan to facilitate cash-for-work projects, which provide payment in exchange for reconstruction jobs like clearing road debris and cleaning up public spaces.
Ensuring people can quickly recover their agricultural losses is a top priority. Without income from the upcoming harvest, Haitians risk a long-term food crisis. Mercy Corps plans to support farmers and provide affected people with cash for work to support long-term recovery. It is also critical to provide clean water to the hardest-hit areas to prevent the spread of disease and keep communities safe and healthy.
