Hurrican Tomas exacerbates already precarious living conditions in Haiti's tent camps. Photo: Alexander Macdonald, PWS&D.
Tropical Storm Tomas is bearing down on Haiti and ACT Alliance members are racing to safeguard people and their belongings before the brunt of the storm hits. Since the January earthquake in Port-au-Prince, over 1.3 million people are still living in tents and camps directly in the line of the storm.
People are being advised to secure their tents and seek shelter with family and friends elsewhere, but many residents are afraid to leave their only belongings behind. Heavy rain is already falling on the camps and flooding is expected to hit these areas. ACT Alliance members are stocking water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts to combat potential outbreaks of cholera and water-borne diseases as a result.
In Petit-Goave, houses and plantations have already been destroyed by the rains and strong winds. Crops that were planted in October to be harvested by the end of November are now destroyed and threatening food stocks.
Please remember the people of Haiti, already devastated by the earthquake earlier this year, through your prayers and donations. Visit the Haiti page for the latest updates.
Presbyterian World Service & Development is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Visit the PWS&D Facebook page.
