In Haiti: Arne Grieg Riisnæs/NCA (tekst og foto)
The two first tents functioning as simple sick wards were put up by Viva Rio’s medical team just hours after NCAs lorries with 45 tonnes emergency aid arrived at the refugee camp Kay Nou in Port-au-Prince. Viva Rio is NCA’s biggest partner organisation in Haiti.
Happy children in front of some of the first 500 tents that were sent from NCA’s emergency warehouse to the refugee camp in the area of Bel Air in Port-au-Prince.
Working all out
The medical team is working all out to take care of all the injured and sick, and the tents mean necessary protection and security.
"The tents make a big difference for the team and especially for everyone being treated for serious injuries here in the camp", explained nurse Bjørg Rødland in the psychosocial team to NCA in Haiti.
Very many children were seriously hurt when the earthquake struck, and the medical team is working against time with the injured. They have now at least a tent that functions as a simple ward for those most in need.
Spacious family tent
Recently, more and more have been able to move into spacious family tents, which can shelter 10-15 people. People are living under open skies overall in the capital city Port-au-Prince, in parks, on football pitches, parkin spaces and even on roads and streets, using all sorts of cloths and material as the only source of comfort and protection. With NCA and Viva Rio’s help, they receive tents and access to clean water and latrines.
Ivonne Josette broke her leg at several points when her home collapsed. She received first aid from NCAs partner Viva Rio, and is very happy that her family now have a proper tent to live in.
Deeply grateful
"The first 500 tents will provide shelter for 3,500 refugees, and all who have received a tent so far express deep gratefulness", commented Manfred Arlt, team leader for NCAs emergency team in Haiti.
He explained that NCAs first efforts with water will eventually secure clean water for almost 30,000 people per day.
"The enormous queues that appear every time water bottles are distributed somewhere in the city proves that the need for secure drinking water is still desperate", stated Manfred Arlt.
Anne Kristin Sydnes, Director of International Programmes in NCA with 9 year old Develyne Saint Vilus, one of many thousand homeless who now has a tent from NCA to live in.