Fw: Camp-by-Camp Needs Analysis from JRS-Haiti in the 7 camps where we are Working

[Felix Augustin]

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From: Shaina Aber <sa...@jesuit.org>
To: "haitiadvoc...@googlegroups.com" <haitiadvoc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wed, April 21, 2010 10:44:20 AM
Subject: Camp-by-Camp Needs Analysis from JRS-Haiti in the 7 camps where we are Working

Camp-by-Camp Needs Analysis

4/19/10

 

 

While continuing to maintain its longstanding presence along Haiti's Northeastern border with the Dominican Republic, Jesuit Refugee Service-Haiti is focusing its current relief efforts in the Port-au-Prince area, working in seven camps, serving the needs of more than 23,000 displaced people in and around the capital city. Father Wismith Lazard, SJ, the director of JRS-Haiti, and his staff accompany the victims of the earthquake by providing psychosocial and pastoral assistance for both individuals and groups.

 

JRS Work in Camps

 

JRS is the official camp manager in three camps, Henfrasa, Palais de l’art, and Parc Colofer.  In these camps we employ a participative management approach to ensure that all voices are heard and that the most vulnerable camp residents receive the care they require.  In another camp, Automeca, where IEDA is the camp manager JRS provides psycho-social assistance in and supports camp residents who coordinate committees in the camps through management training sessions and regular meetings aimed at building capacity for the displaced Haitians to develop their own recovery and reconstruction initiatives.  It should be noted that 80% of all officially sanctioned camps in Haiti have no camp managers.

 

Needs in “Unofficial” Camps

 

The other three camps where JRS labors are the “unofficial” camps in the Manresa district (Bas Georges, Au Georges, and La Grotte).  Because these camps are not sanctioned by the Haitian government and the international coordinating bodies, JRS is the only NGO presence in the camp.  The Haitian government has asked the camp residents in these “unofficial” camps to leave these areas because the space is unsustainable, however no alternative has been offered for camp residents, and the population has protested that they have no where else to go.  JRS has elected to continue to accompany these vulnerable IDPs and to serve their needs as much as possible until such time as camp residents are given another place where they can live.  

 

The people in all “unofficial camps” throughout the city receive little to no care from large aid organizations and the international coordinating bodies.  JRS calls on the Haitian Government and the International community to address the needs of those in official and “unofficial” camps alike, and to continue to distribute aid to those in unofficial camps until such time as these camp residents are offered a safe and tenable place where they might settle during the emergency phase. 

 

Camp Conditions Generally

 

JRS notes that all camps where we work continue to suffer from some overarching concerns assistance, infrastructure and security concerns.  Concerns range from lack of access to potable water, to the spreading of infections such as typhoid, tetanus, and malaria, to poor drainage in many camps, to too little food and water distribution and the particular vulnerability of women, the elderly, children and the disabled during aid delivery. 

 

 

Recommendations

• More attention needs to be placed on supporting the food and relief needs for IDP recipient communities and people not living in camps so that moving to a camp is not the only way that people receive food, water, and livelihood assistance.

• Better coordination of food aid, sanitation, and water, so that all camps are receiving appropriate aid.
• Unofficial camps should not be neglected disconnected from aid efforts until appropriate alternatives have been offered for camp residents.
• Women should be fully integrated into the camp leadership committees.
• The Clusters should immediately address drainage, sanitation, and security needs for vulnerable populations.
• Aid delivery should be organized in a way that protects vulnerable populations and ensures that they are receiving sufficient food and water.

• Camp management and aid delivery structures should always include consultation and cooperation with the displaced people who are swiftly forming their own organizations to advocate for their own particular needs.

 

 

 

 

The following is a camp-by-camp description of needs from our JRS staff with new census results:

 

 

1. Automeca Camp

Census

Number of Persons:               11,000

Number of women and girls:       7150

Number of men and boys: 3850

Number disabled:                62

Number of pregnant women:       78

Number of elderly (over 70):    21

Number of orphans:              42

 

Needs

• Food is insufficient and irregularly delivered
• Lights for security at night (women have been sexual assault victims and are scared to walk at night unaccompanied)
• Private spaces for women to bathe
• Poor Sanitation – Garbage is overflowing       

 

2)      Henfraza (Henfrasa) Camp

Census

Number of Persons:              7,410

Number of women and girls:      4332

Number of men and boys: 3078

Number disabled:                22

Number of pregnant women:       51

Number of elderly:              30

Number of orphans:              25

Number of families:             693

Number of infants (0-3):        219

Number of children (4-17):      1844

 

Needs

• Food is insufficient and irregularly delivered
• Technical Training for camp residents so that they can participate in the rebuilding effort
• Lights for security at night
• Productive Jobs
• Private spaces for women to bathe
• There is no permanent health clinic and medical attention is irregular
• Need for special accompaniment of the vulnerable groups
• Poor Sanitation – Garbage is overflowing

 

 

3)      Pack Kolofe (Parc Colofer)

Census

Number of Persons:               1500

Number of women and girls:      800

Number of men and boys: 700

Number disabled:                37

Number of elderly:              30

Number of families:             227

Number of infants (0-3):        12

Number of children (4-17):      150

 

Needs

• Food is insufficient and irregularly delivered (the worst of the food problems in the official camps we work in is here)
• Drainage is insufficient; standing water means mosquitoes and disease
• Lights for security at night
• Private spaces for women to bathe
• Need to provide activities/schooling for the children
• Technical Training for camp residents so that they can participate in the rebuilding effort
• Productive Jobs
• Poor Sanitation – Garbage is overflowing

 

4)      Plais de l’art (Palais de l’art)

Census

Number of Persons:               1350

Number of women and girls:      751

Number of men and boys: 599

Number of families:             270

Number of children:             105

 

Needs

• The camp is experiencing rapid displacement because of pressure from the owner for the people to leave the camp. All those who have other places to go have left.  Those left behind are the ones with nowhere else to go.  JRS is trying to negotiate a resolution to the problem.
• Lights for security at night
• Private spaces for women to bathe
• Food is insufficient and irregularly delivered
• Medical needs are not being met
• Schooling for children needed
• Poor Sanitation – Garbage is overflowing       

 

 

“Unofficial” Camps served by JRS

 

5)      La Grotte

Census

Number of Persons:               1542

Number of women and girls:      925

Number of men and boys:  617

Number of pregnant women:       60

Number of elderly:              80

Number of orphans:              20

Number of infants (0-3):        250

Number of children (4-17):       630    

 

Needs

• Food
• Drainage
• Lights for security at night
• Care for pregnant women and infants
• There is no water
• No sanitation
• No security
• The government must find a new place for these people before forcing them to leave

 

6)      Bas Georges

Census

Number of Persons:              962

Number of women and girls:      596

Number of men and boys: 366

Number of elderly:              147

Number of infants (0-3):        97

Number of children (4-17):      356

 

Needs

• Food
• Drainage
• Lights for security at night
• Water is not sanitized
• Typhoid
• Malaria
• No sanitation
• No security
• The government must find a new place for these people before forcing them to leave

 

7)      Au George

Census

Not available yet

 

Needs

• Food
• Drainage
• Water
• No sanitation
• No security
• The government must find a new place for these people before forcing them to leave

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaina Aber

Associate Advocacy Director

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA

202-629-5942

sa...@jesuit.org

 

www.jrsusa.org

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