Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
CBM
Milan (Agenzia Fides) - Six months ago hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, causing the most serious humanitarian emergency in the Country after the 2010 earthquake. The situation is still difficult today. In a note sent to Fides, CBM, an international humanitarian organization committed in the prevention and cure of blindness and disability in Countries in the South of the world, reports that a million and a half people are at risk of food insecurity, many rural areas are inaccessible because of the damage to roads. Immediately after the hurricane the Response Unit to Emergencies of CBM activated a program that ensures the victims, in particular to persons with disabilities and their families, to access to aid, receive psychological support and resume livelihood activities. The aid plan provided for a first phase of identification of persons with disabilities, the reconstruction of the destroyed buildings and the distribution of agricultural kits of seeds and small animals, as well as the implementation of activities aimed at the prevention of risk.
So far CBM, together with local partners, has achieved and brought assistance to 11,615 people in the Haitian regions of Jeremie and Les Cayes, two of the most affected areas by the hurricane, by setting up temporary relief camps, a protection program and psycho-social support. CBM has identified 3,370 people with disabilities (50% women and 9% children) in need of psycho-social support in order to address them with help services. In Las Cayes there are five active support groups that have already identified more than 70 cases at risk, while 44 people have received psychological counseling. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 04/04/2017)
