World Vision Haiti Quake Response Update: Relief Distributions Continue, Staff Working to Address Long-Term Needs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As emergency distributions of food and relief supplies continue, early signs of normalcy are beginning to emerge and aid groups are solidifying relief plans and looking toward long-term rebuilding.

Signs of Normalcy Emerge on Streets - Fuel Supplies Stabilize

• Port-au-Prince seeing some early attempts to regain normalcy: 'tap-taps' (bus or truck taxis) and street vendors are once again visible; money transfer agencies have started distributing remittances at no cost to those who are receiving them; the lines of cars waiting for fuel at gas stations have decreased markedly; and some banks have reopened.
• Sufficient fuel supplies are available in Haiti for the next 18 to 19 days and are anticipated to last until the Port-au-Prince port is rehabilitated to receive fuel shipments.
• In addition, the Haitian government reported that approximately 30 percent of gas stations were operational as of January 22.

Update on General Relief Operations

• More than 500 relief organizations, donors and public Haitian offices are now engaged in the relief efforts.
• Delivery of assistance is increasingly moving into areas outside of Port-au-Prince

Logistics and Transport

• According to the United Nations, the US military estimates a seven-day backlog for incoming flights and that the military's portion of the arrivals into Port-au-Prince airport is 27 percent.

World Vision Response: Recent Food Distributions

• Sunday, World Vision distributed more than 14 metric tons of food in Deprez (Petionville).
  • 500 households (2,500 people) received kits that included soy-fortified grains, vegetable oil, and lentils to last for 15 days.
• Since Thursday, January 21, World Vision has provided food to some 4.500 people.

World Vision Response: Water and Sanitation Projects

• World Vision has identified six camps where it plans to establish latrines, water facilities and hygiene workshops to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria.
• Field staff are currently identifying volunteers who will support the work of a nurse to raise awareness about hygiene and other methods to prevent illness.
• The team is currently in the midst of an assessment to determine the best way to build latrines in camps that are already overcrowded, including building mobile latrines.

World Vision Response: Health

• World Vision is distributing medical supplies to four hospitals within Port-au-Prince.
  • WV distributes medical supplies only to hospitals that administer care to quake victims at no cost.
• World Vision has established a mobile clinic to provide basic care.
• In Jimani, as of 23 January, World Vision assisted some 500 children in four centers in Jimani - the Good Samaritan Hospital, the Melenciano Hospital, the San Jose Nutritional Center and the National Evangelical Church Orphanage (Centro Bethel).
• World Vision also helped to coordinate the 19 physicians and other medical personnel at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Jimani.

Donations can be made online at www.worldvision.org or by phone at 888-56-CHILD. World Vision also has launched an SMS text giving option.  Texting "GIVE" or "WORLD" to 20222 will make a $10 donation to the Haiti relief fund.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor - regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit, www.worldvision.org/press

SOURCE World Vision U.S.