Haiti earthquake: One of the toughest weeks ever for Oxfam

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
19 January 2010

Responding to the Haiti earthquake has been one of the toughest challenges ever, international aid agency Oxfam said today, one week since the quake struck, killing at least 80,000 people.

Although aid is beginning to get through, the impact of the earthquake on Oxfam’s Haitian and international staff, the logistical challenges combined with a destroyed office and warehouse and the loss of communications have made this the one of the hardest responses the agency has ever mounted.

The agency lost two employees and most of its staff have endured harrowing personal losses as a result of the quake. Most of Oxfam's staff had their homes damaged or destroyed and are sleeping outside like the rest of the Haitian population.

Part of the Oxfam office and a key warehouse full of €80,000 worth of vital water and sanitation equipment were destroyed when the quake struck.

Oxfam Country Director, Yolette Etienne said: “Many of my staff here have lost their homes, and some have had family losses. Two Oxfam members of staff were killed when the quake struck and I lost my own mother. But we are still here working. I told my staff that we have no choice, no other option but to work and to work harder since we have the privilege of still being here and we can help people to overcome their desperation. A day after the quake most of the staff were back at the office planning our response.”

Broken communication channels – no phone lines or internet - meant it was difficult for staff on the ground to communicate their needs and order vital equipment and supplies to headquarters in the first few days. Communications are beginning to improve – mobile phones are starting to work as well as the internet in some areas of Port-au-Prince.

The staff salvaged some stocks from the destroyed warehouse, but new equipment for providing clean water and sanitation is now arriving.

Ten tonnes of new stock was flown from the United Kingdom to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on Saturday and has now arrived in Port-au-Prince. Thirty tonnes of stock will depart from the UK today and will be followed by a further flight, carrying 50 tonnes of Oxfam aid on Friday. Water trucking has begun in several locations across Port-au-Prince, but operations were briefly halted because of lack of fuel around the capital.

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Notes

Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.

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