Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince was reduced to rubble in just minutes when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the city on 12 January 2010. Two years on, World Vision’s work continues to bring education, housing, medical access, sanitation, and basic items to Haitians. Protection of children and the most vulnerable remains the focus of World Vision’s work.

It has been a response characterised by immense challenges, from land tenure issues and political instability to extreme weather.  Camps for the displaced sprang up everywhere, with no consideration for safety or sanitation, and as a result, more than 500,000 people are still living in cramped, unsafe and unhygienic conditions.

Significant challenges remain but undeniable progress has been made.  Hundreds of thousands of people have been assisted with food, water, temporary shelter, sanitation and protection.

World Vision is transitioning its emergency response to recovery programming.  We are helping families still in camps find ways to meet their basic needs, such as generating income through livelihood programs such as chicken raising.  World Vision is helping families move from camps into safer, sturdier housing in their own communities, as well as offering educational incentives to keep their children in school.

Some of the key achievements during the last two years:

• Some 7,731 children benefiting from play, informal education and support at Child Friendly Spaces
• More than 2,700 transitional shelters providing secure housing for almost 14,000 people
• Some 2.57 million people were provided with food from January 2010-July 2011, including school feeding 
• More than 610 million litres of clean water provided to hundreds of thousands of people
• Mobile clinics, nutrition activities, psycho-social support and disability support has reached hundreds of thousands of people
• More than 12,000 people were trained in agricultural techniques and raising animals
• Advocacy efforts have ensured that Haitian voices are heard at the local, national and international levels

For full details of achievements and challenges read World Vision’s ‘Haiti Two Years On’ report.

World Vision will continue to advocate on behalf of Haitian children and their families.  We are continuing to address longer term needs, including equipping and rehabilitating schools, improved nutrition, as well as access to water and better sanitation.

To learn more about the nation, click on ‘Haiti Country Profile'.