Flooding Destroys Homes, Crops in Haiti

October 17, 2007 — Persistent and heavy rains over the first half of October have caused widespread flooding in communities throughout Haiti.

Walls of homes in Cabaret, Haiti, were washed away, leaving only skeletons of what existed. Photo by CRS Staff

Overall, more than 14,000 people were affected in some capacity, as the floodwaters destoyed over 4,000 homes and damaged crops. The death toll so far is reported at 23, however, some reports cite as many as 37 deaths.

In response, CRS is focusing immediate relief near Les Cayes in the South department, and in an area of small, isolated communities north of Port-au-Prince that were severely affected. CRS Haiti staff and our local Caritas partners are on the ground distributing emergency food, clean water, and kits of basic household and hygiene items to replace what families lost from flooding.

Although the rains have subsided, the floods have caused pockets of severe damage to this severely deforested Caribbean island nation.

Approximately 225 families in and near the town of Cabaret, an area known as Les Orangers, lost homes and crops. Working with Caritas and the Civil Protection Committee, CRS has already sent food and water and provided transportation to the local Church.

In addition to the family kits, flood victims will also need long-term shelter and agricultural recovery.

Our Work in Haiti

CRS has worked in Haiti for more than five decades, providing relief during some of the most devastating disasters, including Hurricane Ivan and Tropical Storm Jeanne in 2004. Our programming reaches thousands of families, and has expanded to include food aid, disaster preparedness, HIV and AIDS treatment and awareness, and agriculture enterprise.