Impact Assessment Study on the Living Conditions of Women and Children, Haïti

• Main Authors: Aselfech Tesfaye Blouët, Gregory Bulit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institut Veolia Environnement 2012-06-01
• Series: Field Actions Science Reports
• Subjects: Earthquake; Sanitation; Water; Women; Children; Humanitarian
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/1372

In response to the earthquake that hit Haiti on 12 January 2010, Solidarités International (SI) provided urgent basic services of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in over 52 Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Sites, and played a vital role in preventing the spread of the cholera outbreak in October of that same year and improving medical care for people affected by the epidemic and to reduce risks of further propagation. Solidarités International’s engagement has been further expanded to other programs, including assistance for the return of displaced communities to their original neighborhoods. The daily living conditions and responsibilities of women subject many of them and their children to risks during various phases of a disaster. Women and children are most at risk and suffer the greatest in disaster situations. The present article discusses the impacts of the disaster on women and children, and the impact of SI’s programs. It also aims to identify some of the response gaps and mistakes attributed to SI and other humanitarian actors due to the lack of gender sensitive approach.