Largest Swiss child relief organization expands emergency aid for Haiti

Terre des hommes – child relief (Tdh) has doubled its emergency budget for Haiti to 200,000 CHF. At least one million francs were pledged. The 57 Tdh staff in the devastated South of Haiti are supporting the hospital in Les Cayes which is overcharged with the number of injured casualties from the capital. In the meantime, a team of aid relief experts of the largest Swiss child relief organization has arrived on the island.
“We do everything in our power, but the hospital of Les Cayes does not have sufficient medication and means to deal with the situation.”, Fanny Mraz from the Tdh Delegation in Les Cayes laments. The delegation has been in the region for years, working alongside the communities in the southern part of the country. Every day 50 to 60 injured people arrive at the hospital, where a single doctor is doing the surgeries. Nevertheless, thanks to Tdh there are now paramedical staff and assistant personnel, like logistics officers who set up tents, or experts who ensure access to drinking water and sanitation. Tdh had been delivering food and sanitation for 30,000 children and their family members in the area, but is now reinforcing its capacities in health reinforcement as a result of the earthquake.
At the same time the headquarters in Lausanne sent 4 humanitarian aid experts. Amongst them is a psychologist who was at the forefront of psychological trauma care of children after the earthquake of August 2007 Pisco, Peru. In the first implementation phase of the project, Tdh will ensure delivery and distribution of relief goods from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. Tdh relies on 50 years of emergency relief experience. Since 2003 Terre des hommes has provided emergency relief after 4 earthquakes, namely in Algeria, Iran, Paquistan and Peru.
Obviously, the commitment of Tdh in Haiti will not end with energency relief activities. We have been working in Haiti for more than 20 years, and will ensure sustainable, long lasting help for the victims of the disaster even after the camera teams have left. A year ago, Tdh had already been helping nearly 11,000 children after the hurricanes and floods. The population trusts Tdh – a good basis for future activities that will allow the population to take ownership and responsibilities.