MaximsNewsNetwork: 23 August 2010 - UN MINUSTAH: Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Haiti is halfway through the hurricane season and weather officials are predicting up to seven tropical storms to hit before the season ends; cyclones, flooding and strong winds could complicate the humanitarian situation of people already living with food insecurity, therefore the Haitian government and aid organizations are making preparations for more disaster relief.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that by the end of this hurricane season, three to seven tropical storms will hit the country in the Caribbean, including Haiti.
And according to the National Coordination for Food Security (CNSA) in Port-au-Prince, between late August and early September, if nothing is done, cyclones, floods and strong winds could complicate the humanitarian situation of people already living with food insecurity.
The World Food Program (WFP) has been working on a prepositional program since January. They're stocking different kinds of food in warehouses which are located in strategic areas, like Leogane, Gonaives, Petit Goave and Port-au-Prince.
In this warehouse there are 800,000 kilos of nutritional items.
The Haitian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross have launched an SMS (Short Message Service) campaign. This allows them to send text messages to subscribers equipped with a cell phone in various regions of the country. They also use billboards to warn the population during the hurricane season.
In all their efforts to limit damage during the hurricane season, the National Coordination for Food security are urging international aid agencies to prepare for more disaster relief by putting their resources into prepositioned local food.
Clairimaine Jean is 22 years old and among the displaced people living in Camp Canaan. She arrived nearly one week after January's earthquake, with two children under her arm. Since then, she has had to struggle to find food on a daily basis. Two weeks ago, a doctor told her that her son was malnourished.
Clairimaine is one of many experiencing difficulties after the quake. Officials say that more than 5,000 people in this camp cannot afford to buy food. It is mostly water they find for free on the site. Their shelters are not strong enough. And during the hurricane season, the displaced do not know which way to turn.
SOUNDBITE (Creole) Clairimaine Jean, IDP Canaan Camp:
"For example, when we get up in the morning and have nothing to eat, we stay like that. When my husband returns from work and he makes money, that's when we have something to eat. For example, now my husband left for work. He did not leave a penny. We must wait until he returns to cook rice and beans to give to the children and then we fall asleep."
SOUNDBITE (Creole) Cleopa Jean Claude, Member of Canaan Camp Committee:
"For us, being members of the committee that manages the camp, our biggest problem is the hurricane season. As you can see, here is a hole in the sand. When it rains the water comes together and runs down the hill and all that creates health problems. On the side it is the same scenario. We are now in a situation where we say we are tired of tarps. NGOs are giving us much more tarps and not so many tents, which do not correspond to real needs of the displaced people."
SOUNDBITE (French) Gary Mathieu, National Food Security Coordinator:
"Our fear is that the situation may become more catastrophic than it is currently. We think that in general two million people are living in severe food insecurity. One million of them is living under tents. You know generally tropical storms follow the same way: South, Southeast, Grand Anse, Artibonite and the West. The agricultural sector is still the most vulnerable one. We must begin to pre-position food to feed the homeless."
SOUNDBITE (French) Fédrick Pierre, National Public Information Officer, WFP:
"The process of prepositioning is to store food supplies and equipment in order to help in case of floods and cyclones."
SOUNDBITE (French) Pericles Jean Baptiste, Communication Officer Haitian Red Cross:
"The SMS campaign has two objectives. First, it allows us to communicate with the public and send them text messages. It also allows the public to contact us. It is a simple and easy way to use. We have already reached one million people through SMS. Even if the person is not available, they can still find the message."
...... ( UNITED NATIONS STABILIZATION MISSION IN HAITI: UN MINUSTAH ) ... ..............................................................
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