Early this morning a homeless Haitian boy kneeled by an open drainage ditch to clean himself up. Due to the increased rainfall experienced during the rainy season, the drainage ditch is at the brink of overflow, allowing this boy to wash his hands and face with its waters. This water is contaminated.
The rainy season has begun and Haitians are fearful of what these heavy rains will bring. As heavy downpours pound Port-au-Prince, the conditions in the temporary camps in and around the capital worsen. With little infrastructure to protect them from the elements, the residents of these camps are sleeping on a mixture of mud and sewage. These conditions create serious health risks for the residents, as cholera-the most deadly waterborne disease- often spreads through sewage.
The plastic tarpaulins are now breeding grounds for cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
International Action has increased its efforts to protect camp residents through its Water for Internally Displaced Person program. Using our 2,000-gallon tanks as distribution points, our water truck is delivering clean water to several camps in Port-au-Prince. We’ve already installed our 2,000-gallon water tanks in the largest IDP(internally displaced person) camps in Port-au-Prince, Corail, Caradeux, and Gerald Batay. Our 1,200-gallon water truck is working around the clock to deliver clean water to camp residents.
We need your support to continue serving the internally displaced people throughout Port-au-Prince. With your support, we can install more tanks in the camps and continue to deliver free, clean water. Please consider making a donation in support of the Water for Internally Displaced Person program.
Wesley & the International Action Team