ADRA-UK News Update

The Government of Haiti (GoH) has declared a countrywide state of emergency and one month of mourning. The GoH is working to stabilize the situation in the country and requested that banks, including at least 30 in Port-au-Prince, reopen on January 19, allowing businesses to distribute employees’ salaries and restart operations.

On January 18, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) distributed emergency food items to approximately 100,000 people inside and outside Port-au-Prince, bringing the total number of food aid beneficiaries since the earthquake to 200,000 people. Within the week, WFP aims to distribute 10 million ready-to-eat meals through four humanitarian hubs and at approximately 30 additional locations across Haiti.

The GoH is prioritizing a rapid return to economic activities through the establishment of food- and cash-for-work programs, including efforts to re-establish power and remove debris from roads, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The ADRA compound is relatively safe, the walls and fences are up and is protected by guards. Some further coordination on improving security is needed.. All ADRA Haiti staff and foreign staff are well and have not encountered any issues thus far other than working around the clock. The population is calm and interventions have been smooth for the most part. The ADRA office is now running on a generator, which has helped the staff work without blackouts. Communication is still limited; there is only one internet point to be shared with all staff and partners, which decreases efficiency.

To make a contribution to ADRA-UK’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, click here.

For donations by telephone call 0870-49 55 808 (only during office hours).

1. ADRA’s Current Response

• ADRA received several boxes of food on January 19 from the Dominican Republic church members.

• USAID Dominican Republic visited our facility when it delivered two trucks of bottled water on Sunday and were very impressed with our operation. On January 19, they sent six large trucks (each 12-16 metres long) of supplies, which included water bottles, food, medicine and fuel. We received 18 drums of fuel on January 19, each drum contains 200 litres. We are now able to run the generator and provide energy to the office. ADRA has also shared fuel with the Adventist Hospital so they can continue operating.

• ADRA Dominican Republic has assisted ADRA Haiti by facilitating the rental of four vehicles that have arrived to help our operations.

• ADRA visited the Adventist Hospital on January 19 and prepared a Medical Supply Assessment, which has been sent to Florida Hospital. Supplies are limited and need to be replenished. Some of the medical supplies received thus far do not apply to the current situation. Specific items are needed to perform emergency procedures.

• Approximately 14 new doctors arrived on January 19 with ACTS (Active Community Teams Serving), many of whom are from Loma Linda Hospital. These volunteer doctors are living on the Hospital grounds.

• ADRA implemented another water distribution, which served 15,000 beneficiaries who received enough water for four days. Some 67,000 litres of water were distributed. Part of the distribution happened when the six trucks from USAID arrived and approximately 650 people entered the compound. The situation was hectic but was managed by the ADRA network staff.

• Global Medic installed three new water points.

• The French Fire Fighters & Rescue Team arrived on January 19 and has been assigned by the United Nations to assist the efforts at the Adventist Hospital.

• USAID has provided the gift to ADRA Haiti of an expensive Water Purification System on a trailer that is used for hospital settings.

• The Spanish Government has donated a few items, two tents, a few tarps and jerry cans which were distributed on January 20.

• ADRA Portugal has sent a shipment of goods, which are scheduled to arrive on January 24.

2. ADRA’s Plan of Action

ADRA will continue doing Needs Assessment and camp planning at the Adventist University compound. The plan is to have data for proposal development.

ADRA has organized groups of volunteers to distribute water bottles, food, clothing, and the remaining medical supplies.

Global Medic, one of ADRA’s partners on this response, will work on the installation of the USAID Water Purification System and plans to train ADRA volunteers to operate the system. ADRA will need a vehicle with a hitch to transport this trailer.

3. Coordination Activities

ADRA is actively participating in the following clusters: Food, Shelter and NFI, and Logistics. We have also been meeting with counterparts to coordinate and share resources.

ADRA has visited the USAID Mission at the American Embassy and established contact. They were aware of some of our activities and are thankful we are responding.

ADRA is currently working with representatives from the following organizations: Global Medic, Johanniter International, NAPS (National Association for the Prevention of Starvation), JB Center (Local Adventist Volunteers), ADRA Spain, IRD (International Relief and Development), Grupo GARSA (Grupo Adventista de Rescate y Salvamiento – Colombia Search and Rescue), and ADRA Germany.

Source: ADRA Canada