Why?
As part of an on-going response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake, the Canadian Red Cross Society (CRC) and the Netherlands Red Cross are undertaking a series of health projects in the Southeast department of Haiti. Among these projects is a community-based health and first aid in action project (CBHFA) which includes the construction of 5,000 latrines. The overall goal of building latrines is increased disease and injury-resilience. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, and in 2010 experience a devastating earthquake that further weakened the country’s already fragile health, water, and sanitation systems. Only 45% and 25% of Haiti’s urban and rural populations respectively have access to improved sanitation, creating critical public health risk and high child morbidity. The project takes place in Haiti’s Southeast department, specifically in the communes of Cayes-Jacmel, La Vallée and Marigot. Within these communes, the communal sections of Gaillard, Macary, Musac and Ternier contain the sections where latrines will be built.
What?
With disease and injury prevention at its core, the programme builds latrines to encourage positive health-related behaviour in communities. Additional community-based outreach includes improving water infrastructure and training in proper sanitation.
Who?
Households in the communes of Musac, Ternier, Gaillard, and Macary are targeted.