How did World Vision respond to the Haiti earthquake?
World Vision deployed its global rapid response team to work with World Vision Haiti staff already on the ground. World Vision Haiti staff acted immediately, working around the clock to provide emergency shelter, food and medical treatment.
The first six months saw thousands of children in camps benefit from early childhood education, mothers and babies receive nutritional support, and people suffering depression receive psycho-social support. People in camps received free health care via clinics, and food, water and relief item distributions continued.
One year on, as emergency supplies were still being distributed, World Vision launched transitional shelter projects for thousands of families. Staff responded around the nation to a cholera outbreak and also assisted communities to prepare for hurricane season.
World Vision’s emergency response continued tirelessly for five years. It was a response characterised by immense challenges, from land tenure issues and political instability to extreme weather, but undeniable progress was made:
- at least 2 million people were provided with food assistance over the life of the response;
- more than 40,000 families were provided with emergency shelter, and 2,500 families were provided with reinforced shelters;
- 7,700 children were cared for in 30 camp-based play and educational centres, and more than 1,000 children were reunited with their families;
- 14 hospitals were equipped with life-saving supplies and we operated 12 health clinics that treated more than 109,000 cases of injury and illness;
- for two years, we supplied drinking water for 90,000 people across 26 camps;
- we provided cholera prevention and treatment for at least 300,000 people; and
- 600,000 people were provided with essential household supplies, such as tarps, blankets, mosquito nets and flashlights.
World Vision has been working in Haiti for more than 30 years and runs 19 long-term development programs across three regions, supporting more than 190,000 people including 60,000 children. The organisation is committed to working with Haitians to contribute to Haiti’s recovery in the long term.
World Vision Australia launched an appeal to provide assistance with relief efforts in Haiti and the generosity of Australians let World Vision contribute to "building back better" in Port-au-Prince and surrounds. We are no longer calling for public donations for Haiti, but our Disaster Ready fund helps us to prepare for similar emergencies wherever they may strike.