Five years ago on January 12, a powerful earthquake struck Haiti, killing more than 220,000 people, injuring more than 330,000 others and reducing great swaths of the capital city of Port au Prince to rubble. Thanks to the incredible outpouring of support from the public and governments around the word, Oxfam helped more than half a million survivors with a range of support that included clean water and sanitation services, shelter, and income-generating opportunities.
In a report published to coincide with the fifth anniversary, the international relief and development agency, Oxfam, highlights its work to help communities recover and Haitians to rebuild their lives.
Damien Berrendorf, Oxfam’s country director in Haiti, said: “Oxfam is committed to building a stronger, more resilient nation. In 2014 alone, we have reached 594,310 Haitians and our mission is to make sure our programs, carried out in conjunction with civil society organizations and the Haitian government, are as collaborative and effective as possible.
“The government should resume efforts to decentralize power and resources so that vital services can reach Haiti’s most vulnerable citizens. At the same time, donors must deliver on their commitments to the Haitian people and support its leaders to tackle the economic and social inequalities that continue to plague the country’s development.”
