The estimated death toll from the Haiti earthquake is approximately 230,000, according to the Government of Haiti. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 2 million individuals are displaced, with 1.69 million residing in settlements in Port-au-Prince. The affected population is estimated to be around 3 million.
The U.S. Government has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Haiti, with a total of $381,911,301 allocated for the earthquake response in Fiscal Year 2010. This includes funding from USAID/OFDA, USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The total amount of humanitarian assistance provided by the U.S. Government is $1,058,566,013.
Humanitarian organizations continue to work towards providing shelter and sanitation to affected populations. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that nearly 10,000 latrines have been completed in displaced persons settlements, with a goal of constructing approximately 16,000 latrines in affected areas. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) partners have estimated an average rate of 190 persons per latrine, with a goal of achieving a rate of 100 persons per latrine.
The U.N. Office for Project Services reported that GoH teams have conducted habitability assessments of more than 54,000 earthquake-affected structures, finding approximately 42 percent of assessed buildings safe for habitation, 32 percent that could be made safe with repairs, and 26 percent unsafe and requiring demolition. UNOPS staff noted that increased understanding of the habitability assessment process has augmented affected population confidence in the assessments.
USAID/OFDA plans to deliver 3,000 portable latrines to implementing partners in the coming days. Discussions between USAID/OFDA and receiving organizations regarding the most efficient and appropriate method of latrine assembly are ongoing. The WASH Cluster is seeking an NGO to provide capacity development within DINEPA to establish de-sludging management systems for DINEPA to assume after 12 months.
In an effort to return to pre-earthquake systems across sectors, the GoH is in the early stages of planning to formally integrate and phase out mobile and spontaneous settlement-based clinics over time. The GoH Ministry of Public Health and Population announced the extension of free access to medicine and services until mid-July. Health agencies have begun to scale up larvicidal and indoor residual spraying capacities, pending determination of a need for spraying and a request from the MoSPP.
The primary protection concern remains the safety of children during the process of relocating displaced families from spontaneous to planned settlements. Humanitarian agencies have registered more than 1,200 separated children and continue to trace 278 families. The U.N. Children’s Fund reported reuniting 118 separated children with families, comprising 69 children through the interagency program on family tracing and reunification, 33 children from trafficking attempts, 15 unaccompanied children from an interim care center, and 1 spontaneous case.