Press Releases

MIAMI, FL – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, spoke by telephone with officials from USAID’s Hurricane Matthew Response Management Team; representatives from the Centers for Disease Control; the office of Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime; and other stakeholders about Haiti relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

The Florida congresswoman, who represents one of the largest Haitian populations in the United States, expressed concerns about the Category 4 hurricane’s impact on an already fragile nation; the handling of human remains; ways in which the American public can contribute to relief efforts; the roles played by USAID, the UN, NGOs, and other international organizations in the response; the status of Zika and cholera in Haiti; potential damage to public hospitals; and the accessibility to remote locations still in need of assistance.

So far, at least 1,000 people have died, and Haiti has begun mass burials. Approximately 350,000 people have been displaced from their homes and/or need assistance. It is believed that this number does not include the thousands of people already living in shelters as a result of the 2010 earthquake. In addition, 1.4 million people are still in need of help with some assistance needed in remote areas that are inaccessible due to damage to roads and bridges. There are plans to provide food and water to people in rural areas via airplane, but there must be someone on the ground to receive the supplies and coordinate the distribution efforts. USAID is working on strategies to get supplies to these areas, but have prioritized accessible areas with higher populations to save more lives.

USAID and the Department of Defense have already sent five special flights with 31 metric tons of food and supplies to Haiti and the Bahamas with the total amount delivered so far measuring 116 metric tons. Prior to Hurricane Matthew there were 14 warehouses in Haiti stocked with supplies, including blankets, hygiene kits, and plastic sheeting. The World Food Program has issued 6,600 food rations and will distribute 1,000 more. Addtionally, $1.3 million in cash has been disbursed to the people of Haiti to purchase supplies.

The United Nations will assist with the recovery and USAID is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control to counteract a potential cholera outbreak. Piped water is being chlorinated. Water purification tablets for 450,000 people have been shipped from Dubai. Congresswoman Wilson stressed the importance of the UN, which is responsible for the initial cholera outbreak in Haiti, using incremental funds to mitigate this cholera threat, and not the original funds that were already earmarked for cholera before Hurricane Matthew.

Congresswoman Wilson raised concerns about the large bodies of standing water, which could increase potential Zika virus outbreaks. She also asked for a status report on the public hospitals that are just ramping up operations after being closed during the recent doctors’ and nurses’ strike. USAID’ Hurricane Matthew Response Management Team Deputy Manager for Planning stated that many hospitals sustained damage, making it even harder to access health care in Haiti.

Congresswoman Wilson informed the group that many of her constituents have been collecting donations locally, including the Haitian American Nurses Association, and asked where these supplies can be sent. USAID advised that individuals and organizations wishing to provide assistance are encouraged to make monetary contributions through USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information at www.cidi.org. They may also send donations to organizations they know and trust that are working on the ground in Haiti and know how to make the best use of the money.

Congresswoman Wilson plans to visit Haiti to review the damage and recovery efforts.