Port-au-Prince: In the midst of the panic and confusion directly following the earthquake, Tearfund church partners in the Haitian capital opened their doors to the homeless and distressed.
25 February 2010
UEBH (Union Evangélique Baptiste d’Haiti), a Tearfund church-based partner in Port-au-Prince, opened its compound to their surrounding neighbours who had been left homeless straight after the earthquake. About 3,000 people have found vital shelter and access to basic services in their grounds.
Tearfund’s water and sanitation specialist has been able to secure 32 emergency latrine slabs from UNICEF for use in the UEBC camp. More latrines means not having to walk so far, and not having to wait so long to use them, a kind of improvement that makes a real difference to people.
Tearfund partner UEBH opened its doors to hundreds of those made homeless directly after the quake. The compound has become a temporary home for 3000 Haitians. Photo: David Bainbridge/Tearfund
The families in the camp include Coralie and her sister who are 3 and 5 years old. Coralie had hurt her arm and leg in the quake but is now recovering well thanks to the care she has received and is enjoying playing with her friends.
Our technical specialists are supporting partners to extend the emergency services they are providing in Haiti.
Residents in the UEBH camp. Photo: David Bainbridge/Tearfund
Tearfund’s Health Advisors have also developed health promotion songs, games, dramas and picture stories which have been shared with UEBH. These resources will help the children in the camp to understand the importance of hygiene through simple messages like learning to wash hands.
Many of the concrete systems used for water and sewage systems were destroyed in the quake, so ensuring clean water and good sanitation, in the interim period and for the long-term, is a vital concern for Tearfund staff and partners.