Haiti

Minister Tells Committee that 86% of 1.5 million Homeless in Haiti have now been Reached


6th May 2010

Four months on from the devastating earthquake in Haiti, 3.5 million people have now received emergency food rations and humanitarian agencies have reached 86% of the 1.5 million homeless people needing emergency shelter materials, the Minister for Overseas Development, Peter Power TD revealed at today’s Oireachtas European Affairs Committee.

The Minister was briefing the Committee regarding the upcoming EU Development Council meeting in Brussels. The Council meeting will review the developments in Haiti.

He also disclosed that the constant rains of recent weeks had revealed that some tents were not waterproof and the distribution of additional plastic sheeting was necessary. The identification of appropriate space for more durable hurricane-resistant shelter is also still a major problem.

According to the Minister, the Irish Government has pledged €13 million in assistance over the next three years. In total, the EU has promised more than €1.2 billion.

Committee Chairman, Bernard Durkan TD said;
“The Minister informed us today of some encouraging developments in Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Now that the disaster is largely off the media agenda is it easy for people to forget the suffering and hardship which continues in the country.

While there are some positive signs, we cannot become complacent. There will be a massive reconstruction effort required over the coming years if the island is to get back on its feet, so we must not forget about Haiti’s plight.

It is positive that the European Union and Ireland are taking such a central role in Haiti’s long term redevelopment.”

The EU has agreed to commit to a co-ordinated response programme. A task force of member states and the European Commission is being formed to the steer the programming exercise.