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Child rights and humanitarian organisation Plan International UK will be assisting up to 20,000 families affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti as the Category 4 storm has left a trail of destruction behind it.
The most powerful Caribbean hurricane in almost a decade has caused widespread devastation in the country’s south-west leaving thousands displaced – including children. According to Haiti’s Directorate of Civil Protection, 350,000 people are in need of assistance.
The charity has set aside an initial response fund of €5mn focusing on non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene and child protection among other areas of need. Haiti’s worst- affected south-west is among the areas where Plan International UK will be implementing development programmes in local communities, mainly supporting children.
Marie Therese Frederique Jean Pierre, Plan International’s Country Director in Haiti , says:
“The collapse of a bridge connecting capital Port-au-Prince to the affected south-western areas has made relief assessment and response even harder. The real scale of the disaster will only emerge in due course.
“Our team on the ground is currently assisting thousands of families with emergency kits including essentials like blankets and sanitary items.
“Girls are especially at risk after a crisis. Many drop out of school to help the family and never get to complete their education.
“We are working with communities to ensure girls as well as boys continue to get an education in the aftermath of hurricane Matthew.”
“Plan has been working in Haiti since 1973. In the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake we helped to rebuild the lives of thousands of families with healthcare, sanitation and education facilities.”
In its warehouse, Plan International UK has a number of essential non-food items – such as hygiene kits, kitchen kits, mattresses and blankets. Further supplies are on standby in the neighbouring Dominican Republic, where the organisation also has operations.
(Plan International Country Director in Haiti, Frederique Jean Pierre, is available for media interviews)
