Malteser International, the relief service of the Order of Malta for Humanitarian Aid, has donated an initial €10,000 to provide emergency relief to one of the poorest slum areas of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, as well as to the south of the island, after these areas were severely hit by tropical storm Isaac.

Isaac carved a path of destruction through Malteser International’s project region of Belle-Anse, cutting off about 70,000 inhabitants from the rest of the country, including all forms of communication. More than 4,000 houses were destroyed, damaged or flooded, and the families lost their crops, harvests and about 30,000 livestock.

Working with its partner Cotedo, Malteser International is concentrating its efforts on the repairs of the aqueduct erected by the relief service and the reconstruction of latrines and home gardens.  This partnership has been running a comprehensive relief programme in Belle Anse since 2010, with the aim of improving the health situation and to strengthen the self-help capacities of the population in the fields of water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition.

In addition to its present relief programmes to prepare people for future disasters, Malteser International also provides emergency response.

Tropical storm Isaac crossed Haiti three days ago causing severe flooding and destruction. At least 24 people died, 42 were wounded and more than 16,000 people have been evacuated.