Since the devastating earthquake that shattered Haiti in 2010, the Canadian Red Cross has provided life-saving assistance - including shelter and access to critical health care - in an effort to help survivors rebuild their lives.
A refuge from the storm
In September 2012, the Canadian Red Cross completed its shelter program in Haiti, which has successfully provided homes to more than 7,500 families in Jacmel and Leogane.
"These homes provide essential stability and protection to over 37,000 of Haiti's most vulnerable," said Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.
Made from durable wood and other materials, the shelters were constructed to withstand hurricane winds, rains and earthquakes, making them a safe refuge for those in need within the country.
The growing threat of cholera
While this remarkable work has helped improve the quality of life for many Haitians, the Canadian Red Cross remains committed to empowering communities through essential health programs.
The outbreak of cholera across the country and in several displacement camps has threatened the lives of thousands of Haitians. More than 2,300 people have been treated at cholera treatment centres operated by the Canadian Red Cross, and according to the Pan American Health Organization, an estimated 170,000 cases of cholera could be diagnosed by the end of 2012.
By June 2012, a rise in reported cases of cholera in the Artibonite, Nord-Ouest, Nord-Est, and Ouest Departments, as well as on the island of Gonave and in camps around Port-au-Prince, caused Haitian authorities and humanitarian organizations to fear that a widespread outbreak was about to occur.
Prevention through a better public health system
The Canadian Red Cross has been working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Health in the Sud-Est Department to allow for better maternity and emergency care. The Red Cross has provided expert technical training as well as support for the partial reconstruction of the Jacmel Hospital and the rehabilitation of five health centres.
How you can help
As a result of the generous support from Canadians just like you, the Canadian Red Cross has been able to provide critical relief to affected areas in Haiti, but the struggle is hardly over. By aiding in recovery and development programs and striving to build more resilient communities, the Red Cross has supplied integral services throughout the region.
To show your support for the Canadian Red Cross' world health programs and to make a difference in the lives of those in need, please donate today online or at your local Red Cross office!