Haiti Floods - Oxfam Quebec Emergency Response 2008

September 2008 - Within the span of just over one week at the end of August and beginning of September Hurricanes Fay and Gustav and tropical storm Hanna swept through Haiti causing widespread destruction throughout the country. While needs assessments are far from complete it is estimated that up to 800 000 people are in need for humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance. The number of Haitians directly and indirectly affected by the extreme weather conditions is much higher. A large majority of the population was already facing extreme hardship with 53% living on less than one US dollar per day while prices for staple foods have increased over 40% since the beginning of the year. CIDA funding enables Oxfam to ensure access to basic shelter and household items through the provision of bedding mosquito nets kitchen kits and construction and rehabilitation materials for 1 500 families. Oxfam also ensures access to potable water and adequate hygiene through the provision of bottled water water purification tablets and hygiene kits for 1 500 families in the Artibonite and Nippes Departments.