Emergency team arrives in Haiti

Plan's convoy of three trucks arrived in Port au Prince on Friday. One focal point of Plan's attentions will be the town of Jacmel, where little aid has arrived to date. Plan staff there have been working since the day after the quake in the distribution of family kits, food and water, in coordination with the governor and other organizations.

Plan will provide 4,000 tents for those left homeless by the earthquake in Jacmel, each offering space for 4 people. Despite widespread disruption to Haiti's road network, it appears that trucks will be able to get through on an old road from Pedernales to Jacmel. [Update: Plan has set up a logistics hub in Pedernales to carry relief commodities into Haiti.]

Plan’s Stuart Coles describes “a drive through hell” to reach the devastated capital city of Haiti. Read his blog here.

Plan is coordinating with other organizations to ensure there is no duplication of services and there is coverage of affected areas. A child protection team is working to assist unaccompanied children and help prevent trafficking and abuse. There is a clear need to work with the communities to support them in keeping children safe and protected and to ensure that their special needs for food, shelter, play, education and protection are met.

Plan staff are working out of the parking lot of the office, due to fears that the building is unsafe. Fifty percent of buildings in some areas are damaged or destroyed. Eight hospitals are so badly damaged they are unusable. It is estimated that three million people are injured or homeless. In general the situation remains relatively calm, though there are increasing signs of unease amongst the population as it awaits assistance in a desperate time.

Please make a donation right now to help the children and families in Haiti.

With the arrival of the additional team, a systematic assessment is under way this weekend, building on early work already completed by local staff. Another team will also travel to Jacmel to undertake a needs assessment in this location. These assessments will focus on child protection, water and sanitation, and health.

Plan Dominican Republic continues to provide high levels of support, including for procurement of supplies, fuel and cash for purchases in Haiti as well as providing staff and vehicles.

Information for sponsors
Plan staff are currently focusing on providing emergency relief, and are unable to provide news on individual sponsored children at this time. We will contact sponsors directly when we receive any news about individual sponsored children.