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Haiti 2021 Earthquake Relief Efforts

Devastating natural disasters in Haiti — a massive 7.2-magnitude earthquake followed by tropical depression Grace — have wreaked havoc in the country. With more than 2,200 people reported dead, over 12,000 injured, and hundreds more missing, as well as 100,000 homes and 130 schools destroyed, the people of Haiti are struggling to get back on their feet. And this comes on top of an already fragile security situation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about our response.

Saut d’eau Area Program

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Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2022 - 2034

Location

Haiti

Areas of Focus

Child Protection and Participation

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

170people participated in community-level advocacy and social accountability initiatives, including Citizens Voice and Action groups

Progress

4,276children received deworming treatment to support their health and development.

Progress

3,564children and adults were trained on child protection, including positive parenting, children's rights and early marriage.

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

Saut d'Eau is a predominantly rural community of about 14,700 in south central Haiti. The area is relatively culturally homogenous and predominantly Catholic.

Agriculture and livestock rearing are the two main income-generating activities. Chief crops include sugar cane, peanuts, cassava, mango and avocado. Livestock includes poultry, goats, pigs and cattle. There is also some beekeeping.

Agricultural activity is insufficient to meet household food needs due to a variety of limitations. These include a lack of farming inputs (such as seeds), technical assistance and agricultural credit for farmers, and soil that has become degraded. About half of residents have access to a protected water source. Children are particularly affected by this and by the absence of basic sanitary services. The practice of open defecation further affects water quality. As a result children suffer from diarrhea and acute respiratory infection, and many are unvaccinated. Children are often subject to corporal punishment and verbal violence, usually in the context of education.

These challenges are considerable. Moreover, unstable national politics and rising inflation have made life harder across the country. Fortunately, Saut d'Eau itself is conflict free. The local government lacks resources, but is determined and citizens demonstrate a willingness to participate in community activities. Along with the local institutions, and community and religious leaders available for partnership to help fight poverty, there is opportunity for development.

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Challenges
Saut d'Eau's focus for development is on health, child protection and participation, and water, sanitation and hygiene. In each of these areas, the community is currently under-resourced, lacking staff, equipment and supplies, appropriate awareness (such as to child protection), or all three.

Health
The community is served by a single health centre with one doctor and five nurses. Just under 40 per cent of women make prenatal visits and only 25 per cent give birth in institutional settings with professional care. Children's diets are not diversified enough, with only 25 per cent of children aged 6-23 months meeting minimum standards. This leads to high rates of health problems such as anemia in children under 5.

Child Protection and Participation
There are no structures in the community to address plight of the most vulnerable children. Children are systematically excluded from decision making and their voices go unheard. Birth registrations are often completed late by parents, and only when the child reaches school age because schools require birth certificates. Eighty-five per cent of children have experienced verbal or physical violence and corporal punishment is common, particularly in the context of education.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Only half the community has access to clean water and there is no public monitoring of water quality. Open defecation is practiced by slightly more than half of residents. This further pollutes the air and water, and is especially hard on girls, who are vulnerable to diseases such as vaginal infections and the risk of sexual abuse when defecating at night. Forty-seven per cent of typhoid, 70 per cent of diarrhea cases and 84 per cent of acute respiratory infection cases are in children under 15....
Plans
Health
To improve the health of children and their families, World Vision will:
  • Provide the Saut d'Eau Health Centre with a pharmacy and medicines.
  • Set up a health and sexual education program in schools and churches.
  • Set up a vaccination program.
Child Protection and Participation
To help children feel safe and reach their full potential, World Vision will:
  • Sign micro sub-contracts with youth groups to fund their own initiatives for child survival.
  • Work with local authorities, Child Protection Committees and the Registry Office to carry out birth registrations.
  • Create cultural and leisure centers for children.
  • Train parents on good corrective measures for children such as positive discipline.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
To improve access to water and its health-related benefits, World Vision will:
  • Provide schools with drinking water stations and washrooms.
  • Rehabilitate the community's drinking water network.
  • Organize community training on water treatment methods and waste management.
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An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2023 and September 2024, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.