Hurricane Matthew was the largest storm to hit Haiti in over 50 years, and the devastation it wrought on the island was swift and thorough. The damage to buildings, bridges, and roadways and the disruption to livelihoods will linger for months, if not years, to come.

The worst of the crisis still lies ahead

What is most concerning is the contamination of the water supply and the near complete destruction of the island’s agriculture. Farmers lost gardens, coffee plants, avocado and banana trees. The harvest that should be occurring this month is gone, and because of the upcoming dry season, it will take a full year to get to another harvest. Farmers that were relying on their crops this year to provide sustenance as well as income are wiped out.

Haiti is now at risk for extreme food scarcity and cholera over the next few months

As you can see, the long-term issues this hurricane may create are greater than most people realize. Our local Haitian leaders see it and they are working to respond, but they will need significant financial resources.

Help One Now will be taking a three-step approach:
Short-term RELIEF, a RECOVERY period in the mid-term, and continuing to foster long-term DEVELOPMENT to strengthen infrastructure and do everything possible to prevent such damages from happening in the future.

Our local Haitian leaders urgently need resources to provide: 

• Food — Emergency food and long-term food. With much of the farms destroyed, food may be an issue for quite some time.

• Water — Access to clean water will be important. For medical purposes, drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

• Structural Repairs — Many roofs have been damaged and homes and other structures destroyed. There are Haitians that can help replace all of these, our job will be to provide the resources for materials.