Tropical storms in Haiti
Strong winds, heavy rainfall and severe flooding have killed hundreds of people and affected more than 600,000. Tropical storms Hanna and Ike are the latest to hit storm-ravaged Haiti.
Make a donation to support our Haiti emergency appeal.
Since mid-August, Haiti has been struck by three tropical storms. Families are struggling to survive the onslaught.
Tropical Storm Fay was the first to hit, on 15 and 16 August, followed by Hurricane Gustav on 26 August. Tropical storms Hanna and Ike brought with them more high winds and rain on 1 and 6 September.
Mother Lumane, and nine-year-old Mondesire, sit outside the Save the Children child friendly space in Jacmel, the Southeast capital of Haiti. Mondesire says she likes to participate in the activities. “I like the safe space because I play and make new friends. But I love school, and I want to go back.”
Displaced children stand in the Save the Children child friendly space in Jacmel, the Southeast capital of Haiti. The child friendly spaces allow children a safe space to play where they can take part in educational activities and receive emotional support.
Stanley, 16, stands with his brother Jean Alix, 4, outside the Save the Children child friendly space in Jacmel, the Southeast capital of Haiti. Stanley says, “The hurricane completely destroyed everything we had, even our uniforms and brand new school supplies, which we just bought.”
Displaced and families and children talk to staff in the Esaps Ti Moun tent: a child friendly space in Jacmel, the Southeast capital of Haiti.
An aerial view of people leaving town after tropical storm Hanna caused floods in Gonaives, Haiti. REUTERS/Marco Dormino/Minustah/Handout
People leave town after Tropical Storm Hanna caused floods in Gonaives, Haiti. REUTERS/Logan Abassi/Minustah/Handout
An aerial view shows flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hanna in Gonaives, Haiti. REUTERS/Matthew Marek/American Red Cross
A woman walks during rainfall caused by Hurricane Gustav in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. REUTERS/Evens Felix
The government of Haiti says 86,000 people are now living in temporary shelters, 25,000 of them in Gonaïves, where much of the city remains under water. More than 14,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed and broken roads and high flood waters are making it difficult to get to the people that need our help.
Hospitals have been flooded and left without electricity. Dirty flood water is spreading disease, and families living in temporary shelters are finding it impossible to get daily essentials like clean water and sanitation. Children are particularly at risk.
Many schools have been flooded. Those that weren’t are now being used as temporary shelters, so the start of the new academic year has been postponed and children haven’t been able to have their lessons.
Save the Children's response
We’re working to reach 7,000 families in some of the worst affected areas.
We'll be providing:
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96,000 litres of clean drinking water to 7,000 families
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health and hygiene kits including soap, sanitary items, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
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blankets and mattresses for 1,000 families, especially those with children under five, who are living in temporary shelters or damaged houses.
- kitchen kits, including pots, pans and cooking utensils.
In Gonaïves and Jacmel we’re setting up safe spaces where children can get emotional support and carry on with their studies while their families wait for the waters to recede.
We’re also working on a long-term plan to help families return to work as soon as possible.
What you can do
Make a donation to support our Haiti emergency appeal.
