News

On 12 January 2010 a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the impoverished nation of Haiti.

The earthquake – the biggest to hit in Haiti in more than 200 years – killed more than 222,500 people and injured a further 200,000.

More than 1.2 million people sought refuge in temporary settlements and 467,701 people left the severely damaged capital Port-au-Prince for other areas.

AngliCORD responds

AngliCORD supporters donated quickly and generously in response to the disaster in Haiti and vital funds were sent to support the emergency relief and recovery work on the ground in the capital Port-au-Prince and other areas.

The money has been used to provide emergency shelter, food, water and psychosocial support and to help affected communities find ways to make a living.

The ACT Alliance

AngliCORD is programming donations through the ACT Alliance, one of the world’s largest international relief and development coalitions.

ACT members have been in Haiti for more than three decades and are committed to working with local agencies and the national Government to provide long term support to the people of Haiti.

Progress to date

Since the earthquake hit, the ACT Alliance has assisted more than 400,000 people. The majority of people have been assisted with ongoing support such as water, sanitation, shelter or regular food. Others have received relief items such as cash, family kits or hygiene sets.

Others have benefited from medical assistance and supplies to health clinics.

Churches and other civil society networks in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic are working with members of the ACT Alliance on both sides of the border. Their efforts, particularly in places not reached by other international humanitarian actors, are crucial for the survival and relative well-being for tens of thousands of earthquake survivors in the cities and not least in rural parts of Haiti, where more than 450,000 people have sought refuge.

In these areas local community networks and self help groups are often the sole providers of assistance.

Continuing need

A spokesperson for the ACT Alliance said: “While massive relief and rehabilitation have been delivered, 8 months from the earthquake the situation remains critical with many needs still to be met and reconstruction efforts at their early stage only.”