About Us

Mission

International Action collaborates with partner groups and local communities in Haiti to build up local capacities in water resource management; raise the public’s awareness of water-related health issues; advocate for water-related policies and development priorities that ensure equitable and affordable access to clean water for all; and support community-based water purification and distribution projects.

History

Founded in 2003, International Action is a nonprofit, community-based organization with a central office in Washington, D.C. and a local office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since May 2006, we have been focusing on improving water quality and access in Haiti, a country that is facing enormous challenges in meeting local demand for clean, potable water. Through village level trainings and the use of inexpensive chlorinators and chlorine tablets, we are able to provide safe water to neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and orphanages in and around Port-au-Prince, for less than 25 cents ($0.25 USD) per person per year.

Before the quake, our 140 chlorinators have reached over 400,000 Haitians previously exposed to waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and chronic diarrhea with a supply of clean, safe water. Through our water board and volunteers, we have also distributed more than 550,000 Albendazole deworming pills. We also supply other community-based organizations with these tablets. Our approach aims at improving community health and well-being by empowering and educating individuals and institutions to provide a reliable and healthy water supply for the long-term benefit of the country as a whole.

Haiti Earthquake Relief

In addition to inflicting a tremendous loss of life, the quake caused extensive damage to Port-au-Prince’s public water network, and many Haitians still remain without a reliable clean water supply.

Since the disaster, our Haitian director, Dalebrun Esther, has identified public water tanks in good shape to hold water. He also identified two water sources working in Cite Soleil and Tabal. Two days after the quake, he organized private water tankers to deliver water from the water sources to earthquake survivors in more than 77 communities. Water was treated with chlorine tablets to kill all bacteria.

From the end of January, we have shifted our focus to Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince’s worst slum. There we have been renting 23 reservoirs to provide much needed safe, chlorinated water to some of the most underserved residents in the capital.

In February, we shipped 9 pallets (5 tons) of chlorine to Port-au-Prince, which will treat up to 200 million gallons of water. We’ve also sent replacement water tanks and spare parts to lay the groundwork for a functional water system.

We are also focusing on repairing damaged water tanks and chlorinators and installing new water tanks to replace those lost and to provide water storage to areas that did not have tanks before. Over the next 5 years, we hope to not only fix the municipal water system, but expand it so that all 2.5 million residents of Port-au-Prince can enjoy clean, safe drinking water.

We need your help! Now, the people of Haiti need clean water more than ever.

You can donate here

Background to the Haiti Earthquake

A massive 7.3 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th. Much of the damage was felt in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital. The International Federation of the Red Cross assessed that as many as 3 million people have been affected. More than 300,000 Haitians were injured, and as of February 10, 2010, more than 230,000 have died. One estimate projects a final death toll of 500,000. The Haitian government calculates that 250,000 homes were lost and 30,000 businesses destroyed. The UN called the quake the worst disaster it has faced in decades.

More than one million have been displaced by the quake, and a recent International Office of Migration report indicates that hundreds of thousands of survivors are living in “impoverished shelter,” in overcrowded camps without access to water, sanitation, or food.

Post-Earthquake Assessment of the Public Water System

According to a quick assessment by our Director of Operation in Haiti, in the five key regions of the capital, only 13 out of 39 areas currently have water. 87 out of 100 water towers are damaged or destroyed, and 50 of International Action’s chlorinators were rendered unusable by the quake.

The administrator of one large aid agency has contentiously rated water relief distribution as a “success story.” But at the present moment, there is no way logistically for the US military, the Red Cross, and any other organizations to collectively supply 2.5 million people with 15 liters of water each on a daily basis.

Under normal circumstances, each of Port-au-Prince’s estimated 2.5 million residents has to drink a gallon (~3.79 liters) of water a day just to live. But water is also needed for washing and cooking, adding another 3 gallons (~11.36 liters) per person per day. However, actual needs can be much higher, depending on variables, such as the weather, or number of people hospitalized. In reality, the water demand in Haiti per person could very well be much greater.

Many are now recycling what little precious water they do receive. It is first used for brushing teeth, then for washing food, then for bathing. Unfortunately, in addition to receiving an inadequate amount of water, some of the water distributed is reportedly unfit for use. There are few safeguards to ensure that water distributed is chlorinated to kill all waterborne bacteria and that there is a chlorine residual at the point of delivery (tap).

Water-Related Health Risks to Survivors

Many relief agencies fear the shortage of potable water and latrines will result in the breakouts of epidemics like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Leading disaster response and humanitarian aid organizations including the Red Cross, Mercy Corps, and UNICEF have recognized water as the top priority in saving lives and preventing diseases following the earthquake. In the absence of potable water, there is a danger that earthquake survivors will resort to drinking water sources contaminated by human waste, garbage, or industrial byproducts.
The water shortage and lack of sanitation infrastructure is leading to dehydration and a decline in hygiene conditions. Overcrowded conditions and puddles of dirty water where mosquitoes breed are now common-place, and fatal diseases like malaria and dengue are spreading. Malnutrition, diarrhea-related sickness, and severe respiratory infections are fast becoming Haiti’s next immediate crisis.