LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 2, 2012) – Heifer International’s Haiti country program is today distributing emergency aid to 400 families affected by Tropical Storm Sandy, reports Country Director Hervil Cherubin in his latest storm update. Limited distributions will occur in Solon, a community in Saint Louis du Sud, where Heifer Haiti has a rabbit project, and various communities in Les Cayes, where its office is located.
Sandy brushed Haiti as a tropical storm last week, dumping large quantities of rain over several days and causing extensive flooding. Fifty-four people were killed and many more displaced. Many crops were destroyed and a total of 611 Heifer International animals were lost.
Heifer International is assisting families in the immediate aftermath of the disaster with a kit of food, including rice, corn, sugar, milk, bean, flour and cooking oil. Included among the recipients is a group of handicapped individuals, many of them injured in the 2010 earthquake. Along with this short-term aid, Heifer International will continue its long-term development work in the country to make communities more resilient to natural disasters.
Cherubin reports that Heifer Haiti staff is also assisting the community of Sous Roche, where 150 families were hit hard by flooding from the storm because of their proximity to the ocean. Saturday, staff will travel to Solon, where many houses were flooded and crops destroyed.
“It is very sad to see all these plantain and pigeon bean plantations completely wiped out by the water,” said Cherubin.
All these activities are in coordination with the local emergency committee (Centre d'Operation d'Urgence-COU), of which Heifer is a sitting member.
About Heifer International:
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 40 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.
