Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Petit-Goave (Agenzia Fides) – Haitians are still in a serious state of emergency affected by the earthquake which on January 12, 2010 devastated the island, killed 200,000 people and caused over a million displaced. Conditions in the refugee camps are terrible, there is lack of water and medical corps. According to data reported by local sources, an average of 112 people benefit from a single latrine in a camp; only 18% of the camps have sinks to wash their hands and face, and only 29% have a system of solid garbage disposal. Not even half (48%) of the residents in the camps have daily access to safe drinking water while only 61% of the available water is disinfected with the necessary chlorine required. Therefore the risk of infection and transmission of cholera increases every day where about 300 people are hospitalized. The figures in Petit-Goâve are even more serious: there is one latrine for 141 people, a shower for 185 people. The situation in the camp of Regal is no better, it has two toilets for hundreds of people, it does not have a dispensary or a health center, or a tap. Until the middle of August there were 426,285 cases and 6169 deaths. Aid agencies have warned that funds are lacking and are unable to go beyond with the recovery activities. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 26/08/2011)
