Support reaches Haitian families surviving Hurricane Matthew

Scenes in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew. Photo: Concern Worldwide

News5 October 2016Craig Burnett

Hurricane Matthew battered Haiti yesterday – and while the full scale of the damage is still unclear, Concern has already been helping people caught up in the disaster.

Credit: Andrew McConnell/Panos Pictures.

In the La Gonâve community, where 150 people were staying in temporary shelters, Concern gave blankets to those forced from their homes.

And in the Grand Ravine area, drainage channels strengthened by Concern in recent years have held strong. This has cut the risk of sewage contaminating drinking water, and will protect residents from disease. People in Grand Ravine have also been following the safety advice passed on by Concern in recent days.

Elsewhere, Concern is working with other aid organisations to assess the extent of the damage.

A deadly storm

Up to five million people are vulnerable to the effects of Hurricane Matthew, which passed through Haiti yesterday and is set to cross Cuba today. Already, 350,000 people are in need of assistance.

According to official reports, more than 60,000 people in the country’s West Department region moved into temporary shelters as the hurricane approached. Local media has said three people have been killed. The hurricane has flooded rivers, damaged bridges and toppled power lines and trees.

Concern has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years. Before the hurricane hit, our 130-strong team already stored emergency supplies in three key locations. This should help us quickly reach 1,200 families with vital support.