Massive destruction in some places, hospitals and schools closed
Port-au-Prince/Les Cayes. After the severe hurricane Matthews, the extent of the disaster is slowly becoming clear in Haiti. In many places in the south of the country, many families have lost their homes. The hurricane has destroyed their already simple dwellings. "They are now trying to rebuild their homes using the simplest of means," says Thomas Laackmann, head of the reconnaissance team of the Duisburg-based aid organisation I.S.A.R. Germany and the Humanitarian Aid department of the BRH - Bundesverband Rettungshunde e.V. (Federal Association of Rescue Dogs).
As the I.S.A.R. team's exploration of the south coast of Haiti showed, help for those affected has been slow to arrive. In the meantime, there have been repeated protests by the population. Roadblocks have been erected several times in the past few days. As a result, the I.S.A.R. team has been unable to reach several regions. "The mood is tense," reports Laackmann. People are desperate and urgently need clean water and electricity as well as shelter. Hospitals are also partially closed because they are also cut off from the electricity and water supply and there is a lack of medicines. Numerous schools have been destroyed and school materials have been rendered unusable by the rain. The information gathered in the regions has now also been passed on to the United Nations, with which I.S.A.R. Germany is working closely. They are now coordinating the necessary aid.
To alleviate the suffering, I.S.A.R. Germany will provide medicines at short notice to provide comprehensive medical care to several hundred people. These will be distributed at short notice in the disaster region by the partner organisation "Visionaires pour Des actions novatrices" (VAN).
If you are interested, the members of the team will be available for interviews. Please contact the I.S.A.R. Germany press officer on duty - Tel.: 0203 - 986 300 46.
