In addition to all that was the concern of the Haitian population (poverty, insecurity, deportation), a new element comes the influence of despair accelerator.
Almost everywhere in Haiti a drought situation falls. No more planting, water is scarce. Among the most affected areas, we can mention: Anse-A-Pitre, Belle Anse, Grand Gosier, Croix des Bouquets, Ganthier, Thiotte, Bonnette, part of the Central Highlands (Cerca-la-Source, Los Palis , Aguahédionde).
When there is drought, it is clear to everyone, that there can be no harvest. Hence the need to offer new alternatives to the Haitian population. We must prioritize raising chickens that can bring money and food quickly. We Vons a population that tends to collapse
Here is a note of the United Nations on this situation:
----- Forwarded by Claudine Joseph / OCHA / FD on 13/07/2015 3:28 p.m. -----
From: Remy Bad / OCHA / FD To: Subject: Re: Fw: the drought is killing the people
According to the information collected from the representative of DINEPA in the department, the situation is alarming .With the support of Solidarites International, DINEPA has initiated a water distribution program in the town of Grand Gosier to alleviate the situation but all rural sections are not met due to lack of resources. It is in talks with other actors in order to broaden the scope of the response.
Attached is a note of the situation of our former Focal Point in the South East department concerned by the situation: The Borough of Belle Anse hit by drought Since the beginning of 2015, the Borough of Belle Anse (Belle Anse, Grand Gosier and Anse à Pitre Thiotte) is experiencing unprecedented drought greatly reducing access to water for the population and especially Thiotte Grand Gosier. DINEPA is obliged to send at first tankers to alleviate the suffering of the population. At Belle Anse, Solidarités International (SI) merged two water supply networks (Pass the flower and Préchet) for quick bailout reservoirs supplying the city of Belle Anse, while other sections like Baie d'Orange, Calumette still know this water shortage. ECHO requires a diagnosis of the situation for a possible answer. However access to water for the population is more dramatic in Grand Gosier where families are crammed to fetch unsafe water in holes, exposing them to all kinds of diseases. According to former Mayor of Grand Gosier, TOUSSAINT Jean Camy the situation is really untenable, cases of death, injury with knives, rape young girls are identified during this struggle for access to this precious liquid. DINEPA is affected by the situation and promises to resume in about a week the water supply of the estimated population of 15,000 people from the water supply system Mapou (Belle Anse) and the Banana River nan (Anse à Pitre). A truck sent by Jude Célestin trying to alleviate the suffering of the population, but its action is focused on Bodarie. More sustainable actions such as drilling wells are planned but have yet to be translated into action. This drought also has adverse consequent on livestock as for water than for food and some animals died. According to the latest report of the National Food Security Council (CNSA), a reduction in rainfall due to El Niño was expected at the national level and increased food insecurity is a direct result of the losses recorded harvests and the devaluation of the national currency against the US dollar. Thus the isolated towns to the district of Belle Anse most feel the effects of this situation characterized by drought, devaluation of the national currency, the losses of crops. The repatriation of Haitians from the Dominican Republic which shares the border with some municipalities of this district will surely aggravate the situation and many returnees from Anse a Pitre are from this district. Special attention should be paid to this district often hit by famine and malnutrition to avert a humanitarian crisis like the one of 2008.
Junior Remy Bad Humanitarian Affairs & Civil Military Coordination Officer OCHA-Haiti