News/Press Resources
One month after Haiti earthquake, one million still in need of shelter
One month after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti, the provision of tents remains the number one priority as one million people still do not have suitable shelter, aid agency Islamic Relief warned today.
More than 200,000 people were killed and a further 1.5 million people were left homeless after the earthquake reduced houses, shops, offices and government buildings to rubble. Many Haitians whose houses were not destroyed in the earthquake are still too afraid to return home for fear that their homes may be unsafe and unable to withstand further aftershocks. Without suitable shelter or access to clean water and sanitation, these people are at serious risk of disease.
Islamic Relief was the first aid agency to establish an organised camp for people who lost their homes in Port-au-Prince. The camp now houses 200 families who had previously been living in appalling conditions in makeshift settlements.
Today the first families also began to move into a second camp established by Islamic Relief. This camp, situated in the Delmas 33 area, will house around 1,100 homeless families. The camp not only provides them with suitable shelter but also clean water, sanitation facilities, food and other aid items such as hygiene kits and kitchen sets.
Elias Fon, Islamic Relief’s Head of Mission in Port-au-Prince said, “One month on from the earthquake, the priority remains to ensure that those who are still living on the streets are provided with tents and transitional shelters.
“Islamic Relief has already established two camps for more than 1,300 families, but we are concerned about what will happen to those without suitable shelter once the rainy season starts. People are already at risk of disease because of the lack of latrines and clean water, but the rains will bring even greater threats to those without a roof over their heads.”
Moustafa Osman, Head of Islamic Relief’s Humanitarian Department said, “In order to protect people from further problems caused by the lack of shelter, Islamic Relief is urging all humanitarian actors to prioritise the provision of transitional shelters and to finalise their rehabilitation and reconstruction plans. We also feel it is important that people have the support to begin rebuilding their lives, and thus believe that sustainable livelihood programmes are crucial at this time.”
Islamic Relief is currently providing shelter, water, sanitation facilities, food and other aid to around 6,000 people living in the two camps that it manages. In the longer term we hope to extend this work while also ensuring the provision of permanent homes through reconstruction programmes.
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