Before the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti on January 12th, 80% of Haitians lacked access to safe, clean drinking water. Numerous people die in Haiti each and every day, whether there is an earthquake or not, due to poor water sanitation. After the quake, the number of deaths will likely increase. The need for clean drinking water in Haiti will not soon go away nor will Thirst Relief International's commitment to providing long-term, sustainable clean water solutions in this impoverished nation and around the world.
Throughout most of 2009, Thirst Relief has been working with a partner team in Haiti in developing a strategic plan for launching a new water project in Haiti. This project will not only provide clean water to thousands, but will also provide employment, community housing and security to orphans that have nowhere to go after they turn 18 and are forced to leave the orphanage. This project will ultimately be self sustaining which means it will not require ongoing funding once it is strongly established. Thirst Relief is fully committed to seeing this project through to completion as a vital part of the rebuilding of Haiti. Long after the dust settles and emergency responders return to their homes, Thirst Relief will still be there working to bring long-term, sustainable, clean water solutions that will serve as a building block for the future of the Haitian people.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has experienced a great deal of political violence throughout its history. On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated the capital city Port-au-Prince. Reportedly, more than 200,000 people were killed, although the exact number is unknown. Even before the 2010 earthquake, nearly half the causes of death have been attributed to HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, meningitis and diarrheal diseases, including cholera and typhoid. According to the World Health Organization, 90% of Haiti’s children suffer from water-borne diseases and intestinal parasites.
