A two month supply of emergency food items is being distributed to 1,200 vulnerable families in Massan, Haiti – a community close to the epicenter of the January 12th earthquake.  Canadian Foodgrains Bank member, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is coordinating the distribution in partnership with their Haiti chapter.   

Food distributions are further challenged by blocked roads.  Ad deBlaeij, a staff member of CRWRC Haiti reports that “roads are blocked by downed power lines, people living in the street, and bulldozers removing rubble.  Even people whose houses were not damaged by the first earthquake are afraid to sleep in their homes.  Many smaller streets are blocked off by the population because they have their chairs and other furniture on the street.”

CRWRC reports substantial loss of homes and buildings in the Massan area, where few agencies are currently delivering aid.  Livelihoods have also been severely affected, making adequate food even more difficult to come by.  The Massan community will have access to 136 tonnes of rice, 15 tonnes of black beans, and 15 tonnes of oil over the next two months as they begin assessing the damage and rebuilding their lives.  

Canadian Foodgrains Bank still has staff on the ground assessing the situation and thinking about how best to contribute to the aid effort in Haiti.  Donations will to be matched 1:1 by the Canadian Government until 12 February.  Programs in Haiti will also continue to be eligible for the standard 4:1 match that CIDA provides to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

 

Photos Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance