The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, resulted in an estimated 316,000 deaths and affected approximately 3 million people. The disaster declaration was issued by U.S. Ambassador Kenneth H. Merten on January 13, 2010, in response to the effects of the earthquake. The U.S. Government provided more than $1.1 billion to meet humanitarian needs in Haiti in FY 2010, including nearly $714 million from USAID.
Humanitarian efforts in the year following the earthquake focused on providing safe drinking water, food, household items, shelter, sanitation facilities, and health services to earthquake-affected populations. USAID continues to work closely with other U.S. Government agencies, the Government of Haiti, international organizations, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations to coordinate ongoing efforts and facilitate the transition from emergency relief activities to recovery operations.
The cholera outbreak in Haiti, which began on October 22, 2010, resulted in a significant increase in cholera cases. USAID/OFDA’s emergency cholera response plan focused on preventing cholera cases, reducing the number of cases requiring hospitalization, and reducing the case fatality rate. The plan included four elements: provision of chlorine to increase availability of safe drinking water; expansion of national hygiene education outreach; provision of oral rehydration sachets and medical supplies; and an increase in the number of cholera treatment facilities, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
As of March 25, 2011, members of the Shelter Cluster had completed 57,002 transitional shelters, an increase of more than 8,500 t-shelters since the figure reported in mid-February. Shelter-focused organizations continue to conduct repairs of houses marked “yellow” or safe for habitation following minor repairs. As of March 25, the international community had repaired 3,676 structures of the 8,363 structures currently slated for repair. USAID/OFDA grantees had completed repairs to “yellow” houses to accommodate 4,273 households.
The humanitarian funding provided to date for the earthquake and cholera response includes $394,958,324 from USAID/OFDA, $188,117,461 from USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, $102,871,828 from USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, $52,388,856 from USAID/Haiti, $3,000,000 from USAID/Dominican Republic, $14,599,690 from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and $453,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense. The total USG humanitarian assistance to Haiti for the earthquake and cholera response is $1,208,936,159.