PORT-AU-PRINCE (Sept. 20, 2017) — With Hurricane Maria continuing to plow a path of destruction through the Caribbean, CARE teams in Haiti prepared for an emergency response there, readying supplies such as clean drinking water, food and tarps for shelter. Still an incredibly powerful Category 4 storm, Maria has already destroyed parts of Dominica, and is projected to hit Haiti on Thursday, almost one year after Hurricane Matthew devastated the island.
“We are worried that Maria will compound the damage from the previous hurricanes and significantly destroy the north of the country,” says Karl Paul, CARE Haiti’s country director. “We are particularly concerned about Haitians living in remote areas, who might not have been reached by official warnings. Many of them live in small houses, which can be severely damaged or destroyed by strong winds.” CARE Haiti is preparing for flooding, mudslides and contaminated water supplies.
CARE, one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the country, has deployed emergency teams to the areas of the countries that are at severe risk. CARE has emergency supplies such as water purification tablets and tarps for shelter stored in its warehouses, ready to be distributed if needed. CARE also plans to provide hot meals and drinking water to people in shelters and is helping people prepare through early warning systems.
“People are still recovering from Hurricane Matthew, which hit the island almost a year ago, killing more than 500 people. Just over a week ago Hurricane Irma threatened to cause catastrophic damage,” says Paul. Haitians are exhausted from the constant natural disasters they are facing. Many do not have the means to prepare themselves against yet another big hurricane.”
After Matthew, CARE reached more than 500,000 people with food, clean water, and temporary shelter.
CARE has been working in Haiti since 1954, following the devastating Hurricane Hazel that killed over 1,000 people. After the deadly 2010 earthquake, CARE reached more than 290,000 people with food, clean water, temporary shelter, and other vital services. Along with responding to emergencies, CARE implements long term development programs such as education, food and livelihoods, and women’s economic empowerment that build the resilience of the most vulnerable families.
About CARE
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters.
Media Contacts
Nicole Harris, nharris@care.org, 404-735-0871; and Brian Feagans, bfeagans@care.org, 404-979-9453