Irish Red Cross continues its support in Haiti 6 months after the earthquake

On Tuesday 12th of January, the magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Haiti causing significant damage, loss of life, and impact on access to basic services for much of the population of Port-au-Prince (PaP) and surrounding areas with more than 230,000 fatalities and three million people being affected.

The donations were initially used to assist the IFRC and National Haitian Red Cross Society carry out immediate relief work in the aftermath of the earthquake

However, funds will continue to be channelled into more long term development activities such as establishing beneficiary communications systems, reconstructing the Haitian National Red Cross society, creating awareness on gender based violence and improving water and sanitation facilities.

The Irish Red Cross deployed two experts in the days following the earthquake:

• Joe Lowry, an Irish Red Cross staff member, was on the ground in Haiti for approximately 2 weeks in the aftermath of the earthquake acting as Communications Manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

  The Communications Manager’s role was to ensure that there was a constant flow of accurate information from towns and villages affected by the earthquake. Such information is absolutely critical in the immediate aftermath of a disaster in order to save lives.

• Will Rogers, an Irish Red Cross delegate travelled to Haiti on January 18th and remained on the ground for 3 months managing beneficiary communications in the wake of the disaster. During this time he collaborated with Voilà, a leading mobile telephone operator in Haiti, to communicate with millions of Haitians and inform them of a massive vaccination campaign and other health related issues.

  A free dial in Red Cross information service (*733) was also established whereby individuals could call the *733 number and access a range of information in pre recorded local language messages.

  Will also worked with the Haitian National Red Cross Society and local radio stations in order to issue important public service and humanitarian messages. The Irish Red Cross continues to support beneficiary communication activities through funding to the IFRC.

When one of the world’s most fragile water and sanitation systems was hit by the earthquake, 1.5 half million people lost access to safe drinking water or a toilet. These people continue to be vulnerable to outbreaks of disease and in order to improve their situation, the Irish Red Cross has also funded water and sanitation activities.

Sanitation is undoubtedly a public health issue. But it is also inextricably linked to protection and dignity, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children.

The Irish Red Cross recognises the importance of protecting these vulnerable groups and continues to fund an IFRC Gender Based Violence Specialist, to provide technical support in the identification, development and delivery of stand alone or integrated gender based violence programming across the recovery operation.

Speaking in relation to the International Red Cross Movement response in Haiti, Mr. Declan O’Sullivan, Acting Secretary General said: “Collectively, we have the chance to vastly improve Haiti’s infrastructure, enabling the authorities to provide innovative, sustainable and low-tech solutions that assist large numbers of Haitian people”.

“We appreciate and thank the general public for their continued generosity in these difficult times. Funds donated to the Irish Red Cross have allowed us to provide support to the hundreds and thousands of people affected by this terrible tragedy. We will continue to monitor the upcoming hurricane season and assist our IFRC colleagues operating on the ground over the coming weeks and months,” Declan O’Sullivan said.

How you can help

Donations are being accepted online or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Cheque and postal orders should be marked for the relevant appeal and made payable to:

Irish Red Cross,16, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.