Haiti Update: Assessing the Damage - Doctors of the World

Haiti Update: Assessing the Damage

As Florida and other parts of the southeastern US brace for Hurricane Matthew, Haiti is just beginning its recovery from the largest natural disaster to hit since the 2010 earthquake.

Tragically, the death toll in the Caribbean continues to climb with 140 confirmed dead, 136 of those in Haiti. The US has committed $1.5 million in aid to the region and deployed 380 Department of Defense (DoD) staffers, along with a USAID DART team, 9 helicopters and various other personnel and equipment.

The Doctors of the World emergency team is expected to arrive in Port-au-Prince by Monday, accompanied by 3 tons of medical and emergency supplies – enough to provide care to 20,000 people for up to 3 months – and additional cholera supplies, as the threat of another outbreak climbs.

Although there is extensive damage to roads and bridges and other infrastructure in some areas, our in-country teams began distributing hygiene kits and other supplies today, as well as conducting initial damage and needs assessments. In some of the hardest hit areas, such as Grand Anse and Jeremie, two of our project staff will be conducting assessments via helicopters, in coordination with the International Red Cross and others.

We will share additional information as it becomes available.