11.07.2016

Hurricane in Haiti: Distributing Aid Supplies at a Primary school Attended by Students with Disabilities


Insufficient Aid




Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan) Emergency Assistance Team (Kazuya OMURO and Asako IKEGAMI) is delivering aid supplies to people affected by the devastating hurricane that hit Haiti. AAR Japan has already delivered aid supplies to Jérémie District in Grand'Anse Province. Then on November 11th, AAR Japan provided aid supplies to 150 families in Les Cayes District in Southern Province. 
Les Cayes District is one of the areas that have been heavily affected by the hurricane. In a previous assessment, AAR Japan found that aid supplies were insufficient for the many children with disabilities attending a primary school in this district. Thus, AAR Japan distributed aid supplies such as rice and beans, which are staples in Haiti, and personal hygiene products listed below to each family. 

Provisions: rice (10kg), water (1.5L plastic bottle x 26 bottles), salt (1kg), beans (500g), cooking oil (1L), sugar (1lb) , pasta (2 bags), sausages (1 can), fish can (1 can), tomato sauce (1can), biscuit (1 box) and coffee (1 can)
 Hygiene Products: sanitary products (3 boxes), toilet paper (3 rolls), soap (3), toothpaste (1 tube), toothbrush (4),
 Other: Plastic Sheet (1), bucket (1), zip lock bag (1 box), water purification tablets (30 bags), mosquito nets (1) and bug spray (1 bottle)
Per household

AAR Japan staff Kazuya OMURO (L) checking collected aid supplies at a warehouse in Les Cayes District. (Novermber 3rd, 2016)



Aid supply has been collected in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and transported to a warehouse in Les Cayes District for packing. AAR targeted People with Disabilities (PWD) as recipients of the aid supplies as they usually have less access to aid supplies. However, to prepare for the possibility that neighbors would also descent to the distribution center, AAR carefully chose the distribution location to ensure security. The method of distribution and division of roles was discussed beforehand with the local staff. Within an hour and a half, the distribution was completed and many people left feeling grateful for the aid supplies. 

From early morning, many people queued in front of the distribution center of the elementary school to receive aid supplies. (November 5th, 2016)

Supplies were directly taken from the truck and handed to the recipients. The process went smoothly. (November 5th, 2016)

 
To prevent any disarray, AAR Japan held many preparation discussions with the local staff, the guard, and the primary school principle. There was some trouble with a few members of the community that were not the target population, sneaking into the school to receive supplies. After becoming aware of the problem AAR Japan is even more committed to ensuring security as they continue to conduct needs assessment and distribute aid supplies.Please continue to support AAR Japan emergency fund. 

AAR Japan staff Asako IKEGAMI discussing the distribution process to local staff. (November 5th, 2016)