Today is the five year anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed much of the country and killed over 200,000 people.
Whenever I return to the States from Haiti, where I have been working for several years, people ask me if things are getting any better there. I am happy to report that things are much better and much progress has been made to move the country forward.
Undeniably, Haiti remains very poor and much needs to be done to help move the Haitian people out of poverty. But, since the earthquake, there is a concerted effort underway to build back the country in an intentional way, including:
- New roads have been built and street lights erected using efficient solar lighting;
- Improvements to electricity in the urban areas is apparent;
- Hundreds of schools have been rebuilt and are seismic safe;
- More children are in school than ever before from funding initiatives in education;
- Hospitals and clinics have been built and much attention is being given to improving maternal and child outcomes and reducing malnutrition;
- The cholera epidemic continues but the numbers are much lower each year, with improvements in water and sanitation that can be seen all over the island.
So, at this five year mark, we can all be optimistic that Haiti is moving in the right direction.
Pure Water for the World is committed to continuing to work with families and communities in Haiti, empowering them with clean water and hygiene solutions that provide the foundation for healthier lives. We look forward to continuing to be a part of the healing and future of this community.