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[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

Oxfam’s emergency water distribution in Cap-Haitien

8 April 2004 - Oxfam GB

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/where_we_work/haiti/index.htm

The mood in Cap Haitien has changed in the last two weeks. Until recently it
was still one of shock at the violence and fear that had ripped through the
city during February, culminating with the rebel takeover on the 22nd.

This week, the city is bustling with activity, with many people repairing
houses and businesses, as if to herald the start of a new phase in the life of
Cap Haitien. However, higher prices for basic items mean that people are forced
to make critical sacrifices. Many say they are skipping meals and not sending
their children to school because they can’t afford it. Lack of safe clean
water poses a threat to health, and having to pay for water puts a strain on the
family budget. Insecurity limits people’s movements, and often leads to job
losses in cases where people are afraid to go to their workplaces for fear of
repression. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to assaults and rape in a
climate of lawlessness and impunity.

Water distribution is the initial phase in Oxfam’s planned emergency
programme. Distributing safe clean water at no cost means a great deal to people.

During the crisis, the municipal water supply was cut off, and to date still
shows no sign of being re-established. As a result, people in poor
neighbourhoods have had to walk further for their water and pay much higher prices for
water that in any case is contaminated. There have been days when insecurity has
meant that households cannot obtain any water at all.

Oxfam has rented 5 water tankers, which transport from a water source outside
the city. Each distribution point is supervised and monitored. A
record-keeper, selected by the neighbourhood committees keeps a record of each household’s
consumption. At this stage about 45,000 people are receiving free water, and
the number is expected to increase as other communities are phased in.