Press releases, 07.10.2016

Haiti faces a new crisis in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Thousands of residents of the island have lost everything they own and the death toll is increasing by the day. To meet the needs of survivors, Switzerland has sent experts to the affected areas and has earmarked CHF 2 million in aid.

Makeshift homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
Hurricane Matthew has wrought devastation in Haiti. Switzerland has sent specialists in fields including emergency shelter, water and sanitation. © SDC

Haiti is the Caribbean country which has been the worst hit by Hurricane Matthew. Since Tuesday, the death toll has continued to rise while flooding and landslides have caused extensive damage. Thousands of Haitians saw the roof of their house fly off in the storm and are now without shelter from the weather.

Early this morning, Switzerland sent a detachment of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to Haiti, comprising experts in emergency shelter-building, water and sanitation, logistics and security. They will be accompanied by a representative of the Swiss Red Cross. Meanwhile, another expert arrived in Santo Domingo to purchase emergency relief supplies unavailable in Haiti.

In collaboration with the Swiss embassy in Port-au-Prince, the team will coordinate Switzerland's assistance with the Haitian authorities and local partners (UN, embassies, Swiss NGOs). It will then commence initial emergency relief and early recovery measures.

Haiti is a priority country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The SDC already has many experts on the ground who have also been mobilised to support emergency relief efforts. Two mobile water-treatment units will shortly be deployed in the disaster area to provide a daily supply of drinking water for about 12,000 people. This will be complemented by others as the needs assessment becomes clear.

An initial budget of CHF 2 million has been earmarked to cover the immediate response and possible contributions to local partners.


Further information:

SDC activities in Haiti


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Last update 19.07.2023

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