The dramatic epidemic of cholera that hit Haiti, does not have to make us forget the thousands of victims of the hurricane which still needs aid, 96 hours after the passage of Tomas. In this context, the U.S. government agencies, in partnership with the international community support the efforts of the Haitian government in restoring the situation.

The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance continues to coordinate the U.S. government’s response, working closely with the Government of Haiti’s Departement de Protection Civile (DPC), the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), USAID implementing partners throughout the country.

In response to humanitarian needs among affected populations following the storm, the DART authorized the release from pre-positioned stocks of kitchen sets, hygiene kits, water containers, blankets, and plastic sheets to benefit 27,500 people, both in Jérémie and Les Cayes in southwestern Haiti , as well as residents in some of the displaced persons camps in and around Port-au-Prince.

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters from the U.S.S. Iwo Jima have performed a number of damage assessment missions over Haiti, and they are continuing to coordinate their missions with MINUSTAH, providing information in support of the Haitian government’s needs. In northern Haiti , the U.S. Coast Guard also conducted aerial damage assessments with helicopters, and the Coast Guard Cutters Forward and Confidence assessed the coastline and ports.

The U.S. government also supported the DPC, the agency on the front lines of Haiti’s disaster response, through the development of disaster preparedness plans, risk assessments, search and rescue training, and response drills at the national and local levels; funding the Government of Haiti’s interagency Command Center, as well as the construction of emergency operations centers and disaster relief warehouses; supporting efforts to communicate with affected populations, including through SMS and radio; and through delivering equipment, including foul weather gear and megaphones.

These efforts have helped save lives in Haiti and the U.S. confirmed their commitment to support the government and people of Haiti.

S/ HaitiLibre