A look back at the IRC’s emergency response in Haiti

When the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on Jan.12, 2010, the IRC sent a team to Haiti that provided clean water, sanitation and health care to survivors, and addressed the special needs of women and girls. Two years later, the IRC continues to work in camps and neighborhoods that lack basic services, assisting Haitians who are struggling to get by as their country slowly recovers and rebuilds.

Photo: Brian Casey/IRC

On January 12, 2010 a powerful earthquake hit Haiti, killing more than 200,000 people and destroying much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other cities and towns. Some 1.5 million people lost their homes in the disaster and moved into crowded camps and settlements. The quake separated tens of thousands of families.  Many children became orphans.

The International Rescue Committee sent our Emergency Response Team to Haiti immediately after the quake, recruited dozens of Haitian staff, and launched programs to meet urgent needs, including:
 

Photo: Ezra Millstein/IRC

Photo: Melissa Winkler/IRC

Identifying children separated from their families or orphaned during the quake, tracing parents or relatives and reuniting families.
 

 

Photo: Gerald Martone/IRC

 

Establishing “child friendly spaces” – safe places for children in crisis to learn and play in the presence of caring adults and away from the surrounding chaos.

Photo: Gerald Martone/IRC
 

Photo: Susana Ferreira/IRC

Photo: Gerald Martone/IRC
 

To Help

Donate Now: Make a tax-deductible gift to help the IRC aid people at their moment of greatest need.