Help Mountain Community Prep for Disasters

Dear GlobalGiving Community,

Cholera first appeared in Haïti in 2010. According to Human Rights Watch, “In 2010, a cholera outbreak in Haïti, which was traced back to sewage negligently released from a United Nations peacekeepers base into a river near the town of Mirebalais, caused about 9,800 deaths and over 820,000 infections.” Due to the current political situation in the country, water and sanitation protocols have not been followed on a regular basis. This put the population in a very vulnerable position, particularly in concentrated areas like Port-Au-Prince and Petit-Goâve.

Now in 2023, cholera re-emerged and is wreaking havoc in the country, especially Petit-Goâve, as reported by Responsab Eugene, the CEO of our partner organization, the Mountainside Peasant Association APHD. During our recent weekly meeting on Friday, October 27th, Responsab Eugene emphasized the urgency of the situation. Cholera is spreading unchecked due to the absence of a comprehensive nationwide strategy from the Haitian government. Without clear guidance, individuals are inadvertently contributing to the proliferation of this deadly waterborne disease. For example, he reported that during the funeral of a person who died from cholera, instead of the health ministry recovering the body, the family held a funeral for the deceased. There were no safety protocols in place at the funeral and eight people, who attended, subsequently contracted cholera and died soon after. 

In our previous report, we highlighted the proactive measures taken by the Peasant Associations of our two partner communities. They conducted training sessions in schools and churches, established hand-washing stations equipped with spigots throughout the communities, and launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign through radio broadcasts and megaphones in the town markets to raise awareness about preventive measures.

These preventive steps include:

1. Hand hygiene: Regularly wash hands with soap and purified water.

2. Avoid touching the face: Keep hands away from the face unless they are clean.

3. Water purification: Purify or boil water for drinking and cooking.

While these efforts were commendable, there is still much work to be done. Petit-Goâve requires sustained intervention. "Cholera intervention needs to be done every day for there to be positive results," emphasized Responsab Eugene. The Peasant Associations in Petit-Goâve are working together to outline the specifics of this ongoing intervention.

The Plan Includes:

1. Continuing radio announcements: Broadcast preventive messages in marketplaces to reach as many people as possible

2. Empowering schoolchildren: Mobilize students to learn and share preventive techniques with their families

3. Distribution of prevention kits: Provide essential items like masks, gloves, soap, bleach, and water-purification tablets to as many individuals as possible 

4. Expanding hand-washing stations: Create and place more hand-washing bucket stations within the community and neighboring communities

Our immediate and urgent focus is on raising $7,611.20 to empower the APHD Peasant Association to implement and sustain this plan. Their goal is to maintain these efforts on a daily basis until the cholera situation is under control, with the ultimate objective of eradicating it from Petit-Goâve and all of Haïti permanently.

We thank you in advance and look forward to sharing positive results from this comprehensive intervention with you in our next report.

Be well, stay safe, and stay informed.

Bonswa GlobalGiving Community!

We hope this report finds you well as we reflect on the first half of 2023 and provide an update on our Emergency Response Initiative. Here are the key developments:

Cholera Prevention Efforts in Haiti:

In our previous report, we shared the concerning reemergence of cholera in Haiti. Since our last report, we’ve learned of the tragic loss of three lives in the communities we work with in Petit-Goâve. It is important to reiterate, this disease is preventable. In response, our Partner Communities Peasant Associations have taken proactive measures to safeguard their communities in the mountainside and in town. By conducting informative training sessions, community members have been educated on crucial safety and health practices to prevent the transmission of cholera, like boiling water and handwashing. Additionally, the Mountainside Peasant Association has strategically installed handwashing bucket stations equipped with spigots throughout the communities. Furthermore, they have created a public service announcement (PSA) broadcasting cholera prevention information that is regularly broadcasted on the radio and through megaphones from vehicles, reaching not only their own community but also the surrounding isolated areas. These comprehensive initiatives are vital in curbing the spread of cholera, which remains a significant concern in Petit-Goâve. We will closely monitor the number of cases and evaluate the impact of the handwashing stations on community health and safety. 

Hurricane Season Preparedness:

As previously mentioned, the hurricane season in Haïti spans from June to November each year. Unfortunately, the region experienced its first torrential rainfall of the season at the beginning of June, causing significant damage in our Mountainside Partner Community. Roads were rendered impassable, homes were destroyed, and valuable resources were lost. Regrettably, there are reports of missing people. Proper infrastructure and resources would have prevented this situation and emphasizes the urgency of maintaining our Emergency Response Initiative and our ongoing efforts to build sustainable infrastructure in partnership with our Partner Communities. Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we were able to swiftly allocate the requested funds from the Mountainside Partner Community's Peasant Association leadership. This allowed them to initiate sanitation clean-up efforts on the roads, ensuring safe passage for students commuting to and from school and enabling community members to travel safely up and down the mountain to access local markets. These continued clean-up efforts and the reinforcement of infrastructure are crucial for daily life to resume. It is also vital to prepare for the rest of hurricane season. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) predicted the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be at least 12 to 17 named storms and five to nine hurricanes this year. It is imperative for us to remain vigilant.

Progress in Building Resilient Infrastructure:

We are pleased to report that the infrastructure projects aimed at making the community more resilient to hurricanes and earthquakes are yielding positive results. Notably, the retaining wall constructed behind the school to protect it from severe rainfall has proven effective. Despite some minor water infiltration, the school building remained undamaged, allowing classes to proceed without interruption. This outcome demonstrates the value of our collective efforts to create disaster-resistant structures within the community.

We remain committed to the safety and well-being of the communities we serve, and we extend our gratitude to our generous donors for their continued support. We will provide further updates on the progress of our Emergency Response Initiative as well as the long-term sustainability efforts in our Partner Communities. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to creating a safer and more resilient future.