When the storm surge pushed the river beyond its banks, a flow of water, mud and other debris filled Bernard's home. The town's wells were also contaminated, leaving residents desperate for water.

JACMEL, Haiti – At first glance, Jacmel is a place that welcomes tourists with its beautiful beaches and picturesque mountain landscape.

But up close, the people of Jacmel are struggling to stay alive.

After being hit by three back-to-back hurricanes in as many weeks, the city was being drowned by the very river that gives it life.

The main river that runs through the city is where women wash their clothes; people take baths and children play and swim. However, when the storms hit, the river overflowed its banks and spilled into the neighborhood communities, contaminating the few water wells that were in use and making the water unfit for consumption.

"The water rose to more than 6 feet; houses were destroyed and people fled to higher ground for safety," said Kumar Periasamy, OBI's director of international programs, who was on the ground in Haiti.

"Children are having diarrhea and people are sick," Periasamy said. "In some areas city water is available only twice a week."

The small village of Siloe was one of the devastated areas in Jacmel.

OBI, in partnership with Water Missions International, World Concern and DHL, installed a water purification system in Siloe that is now providing clean water to more than 500 families.

Operation Blessing, in partnership with Water Missions International, World Concern and international shipping giant, DHL, installed a water purification system there that is now providing clean water to more than 500 families. The system can purify up to 10,000 gallons of water a day.

Since the system comes with a generator, teams were able to pump water from a well into a reservoir, purify it, and then distribute it to villagers.

"There was a great need for this system in our area," said Bernard, a resident of Siloe. "Thank you Operation Blessing for providing the system to us."

Bernard said he lost all of his personal belongings in the hurricanes. When the storm surge pushed the river beyond its banks, a flow of water, mud and other debris filled his home. That, coupled with the high winds, destroyed everything.

Now that the mud is starting to dry out, it is making the cleanup efforts even harder, he said.

In addition to providing a water purification system, OBI teamed up with German partner, Humedica, and distributed a week's worth of food to 5,000 residents, many of whom are still living in temporary shelters.

They also treated residents displaced by the storms at emergency medical clinics and distributed free medicine. In one day, about 200 people were seen.

OBI is also planning to distribute emergency health kits containing enough basic medicine and supplies to support at least 10,000 people for approximately 3 months.

This system, above, can purify up to 10,000 gallons of water a day. Since the system comes with a generator, teams were able to pump water from a well into a reservoir, purify it, and then distribute it to villagers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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