Help Haitians rebuild after Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc on rural and coastal communities, blowing over crops, flooding fields and homes, and making life more difficult and dangerous for many. With teams already living and working across the country, Mercy Corps was on the ground before, during and after the hurricane, ready to assist those that lost homes and possessions in the storm. All photos: Sean Sheridan for Mercy Corps.

Hurricane Matthew made landfall on October 4th with 145-mile-per-hour winds and heavy rain, causing flooding and severe damage to homes and fields. The storm blocked or flooded roads, limited communications and washed-out bridges, leaving already vulnerable communities inaccessible in the days after the disaster. As the winds fell and the rains ceded, we saw widespread destruction to roads and buildings, and crops and livestock were wiped out, which the majority of Haitians depend on to survive.

Haiti is the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, and many families were 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 were still living in displacement camps when they were battered by Hurricane Matthew last fall.

In Arcahaie, one of our program areas, approximately 80 percent of banana crops were destroyed by winds and seawater flooding. These crops supported some 20,000 families.

The majority of Haitians rely solely on farming for food and income, and they have been hit hard: Hurricane Matthew came on the heels of the country’s worst drought in 50 years. Even before the hurricane, many people had not yet fully recovered and lacked access to the food they needed to survive.

Additionally, with many families lacking access to clean water in the aftermath of the storm, the spread of cholera is a serious threat. The country has already experienced high rates of the waterborne illness — and the significant flooding and rain brought by Hurricane Matthew significantly increase the risk of it spreading.

Mercy Corps’ emergency response
With 32 team members already on the ground in Haiti, our team had been bracing for the storm and preparing to respond, including organizing assessment teams to deploy to hard-hit areas after the storm passed. Before the hurricane arrived, Mercy Corps team members were worried about how few people knew there was a storm coming, and reached out to farmers associations and community groups to spread the word and encourage people to seek shelter. As soon as planes were cleared for landing, our emergency response team joined their colleagues in Haiti to assess the damage and immediately begin providing clean water and other items to those in need.

Three months after the storm hit, Mercy Corps continues to address the immediate needs of people affected by Hurricane Matthew. Since October, Mercy Corps has been providing water to people in need and we are now reaching five communities. We are also shifting our focus to rehabilitating water systems to replace the water trucking to create a permanent solution to water needs and to reach a broader range of communities. To prevent the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases, hygiene promotion is an ongoing activity and hygiene kits are now being distributed to reach 3,000 households with soap and safe water treatment solutions. Messages are tailored to address Haiti’s specific needs, including proper hand washing, latrine usage, and how to treat and protect water to ensure the long-term health of the community members.

Mercy Corps is also gearing up for cash distribution to over 20,000 families before the end of January. The equivalent of US$60 will be distributed to the families identified as the most vulnerable, providing each recipient with the dignity to make their own decisions and choices about what they need and when. Additionally, the cash is spent within the local economy - typically with small businesses and market traders who have also faced incredible setbacks in the wake of the hurricane. Not only will people be able to prioritize their own needs, but they are also participating in their own recovery - infusing funds into their local economy is empowering and it allows community members to take ownership of their rebuilding efforts.

Your support is making a difference
Despite the strength of the hurricane and the extent of the damage, Haitians are ready to continue the rebuilding process with clean water, healthy families, cash transfers and working markets. With so many people losing their homes, land and belongings, your support is critical to helping them recover and build back stronger.

How you can help

• Donate today. Every single contribution helps us provide cash, water, shelter and support to Haitian families and others in crisis around the world.
• Tell your friends. Share this story and spread the word about the millions of people who need us.
• Get your gift matched. Many companies match their employees' - and sometimes retirees' - gifts, doubling your impact and reaching even more people in need.