Our Work

Shelter Remains most Urgent Need

Combating Insect Infestations

Insect-borne diseases are a major concern for earthquake survivors in Haiti. A lack of clean water and sanitation, coupled with crowded living conditions, often create public health threats in the aftermath of major disasters.

The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., recently reported how Samaritan's Purse shelter communities are being built on a model that is designed to limit infestation.

“In Canaan 2, a collection of tents made of sticks, trash bags and cardboard scraps on a hillside outside Port-au-Prince, residents complain of biting insects,” the newspaper reports. “But in a compound adjacent to the village of Lafito, several miles north, Samaritan's Purse has erected more than 260 evenly spaced shelters in neat rows, and a breeze blows down the dirt streets that were a farm field less than a month ago.

“Residents are within walking distance of well water. Three enclosed latrines serve every 12 shelters. Gutters and rain barrels will collect the rain that falls on the shelter roofs, reducing the amount of standing water in the camp.”

Samaritan’s Purse plans to construct 7,500 shelters, mostly in communities like this. The shelters, which are designed to last for two years, will belong to the recipients. Priority is given to the elderly and disabled, and to single mothers with no support.

Temporary Shelters 

Around Haiti as many as 750,000 people still lack a shelter that is sufficient to protect them from the upcoming rainy season.

Many of the people who were left homeless by the January 12 earthquake now live under shelters created out of cardboard, bed sheets and sticks. On the nights when it rains now, families often spend the night standing huddled together, trying to keep out of the water that is entering their shelters.

"Every time I meet with foreign leaders and delegations, I tell them that shelters are the most urgent need," Haitian President Rene Preval told Reuters news agency."Now that we've attended to the wounded, taken away the dead, and we're distributing food and water, the problem of shelter, the tents, is the most urgent."

In response, Samaritan’s Purse is offering you a unique opportunity to join in providing transitional shelters for Haitian families in danger from the elements and disease. A donation of $1,200 will provide a family with a waterproof shelter that will last for as long as two years, until they secure permanent housing.

Each shelter built by Samaritan’s Purse is about 3.6 metres square, with reinforced plastic sheeting, treated lumber and corrugated metal roofing, as well as a gutter and rain barrel to collect clean rain water. The shelters are anchored in the ground for stability in high winds and heavy rains. We are also working to provide safe water and sanitation solutions for these families.

 “We are inviting Canadians to join with their families, friends, co-workers and small groups to give Haitian families shelters that are sturdy and safe,” said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan’s Purse Canada. “This a chance to show those so profoundly affected by the earthquake that the people of Canada care for them.”

Please join with Samaritan’s Purse to bring a home to a family in Haiti. 

Ways You Can Help
Pray Pray for the physical and spiritual needs of the earthquake victims who have lost everything and for those who provide assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ.		Give Help bring aid to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Donate Here.