CRS Responds to Tropical Storm Isaac in Haiti 

Tropical Storm Isaac swept across Haiti Saturday, August 25, bringing flooding and more suffering to a country still trying to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake. While the storm was not as severe as expected, rain and winds of up to 60 miles per hour damaged infrastructure across the country and toppled tents that housed people who lost their homes in the earthquake. The southeastern region of the country, where farmers lost plantains and other crops, was hit hardest along with the island of Gonave in the Gulf of Gonave.

CRS is working with our Government of Haiti counterparts and local partners to determine the scope of the damage and tailor a response. CRS is in touch with partners involved in cholera treatment centers to ensure they are in optimal condition to treat patients. The disease can be worsened by heavy rains and flooding.

Before the storm arrived, CRS sent out 4,000 text messages to more than 1,000 households in Port-au-Prince that provided guidance on how to stay safe and instructions for evacuation.

CRS has worked diligently since the earthquake to help people to prepare for the storms that plague Haiti. To date, we have built 10,6000 temporary shelters designed to withstand wind and rain and helped more than 20,000 move from the camps into their communities.