Fraternite Notre Dame in Haiti works in close cooperation with various other NGOs, present there, to assist the population in the 6th communal district of the Cadets in Petion-Ville.
The population in these mountains was living under conditions of terrible poverty, even before the earthquake. They have now lost the very little they had.
A few days later, Most Reverend Bishop Jean Marie, Founder of Fraternite Notre Dame, asked for more religious to assist these populations in need, including a Sister who is a medical doctor.
Fraternite Notre Dame is a first level partner of the World Food Programme. After having distributed 130 tons of emergency relief food supplies after the earthquake, we also ran a "blanket feeding program" for pregnant and nursing women with kids of 6-9 months, which took care of 1250 persons.
Fraternite Notre Dame continues its action for the residents to ensure food supplies through a "food and cash for work" program, notably with the opening and implementation of a road project across the mountain, to provide food and cash for work to over 785 families, that is, about 4,000 inhabitants.
We also take care of a school meal service for the neighboring school serving 300 children from the area.
Fraternite Notre Dame work in close collaboration with UNICEF during emergency situations. After the earth quake of January 12, 2010, a dispensary was promptly reopened and fully fitted with UNICEF assistance, providing for out patient consultation to over 1000 individuals every month, they can be treated free of charge: women, children, adults, along with pre and post birth treatment, deliveries and more.
Similarly, a primary school was reopened under some tents donated by UNICEF, symbolically, one month to the day, after the quake. Following the storm of September 24th, 2010, the school tents being completely destroyed a new school had to be set up, for the back to school days, and basic school furniture were distributed to all pupils.
Through UNICEF's "Wash" section, we get assistance to promote hygiene education and basic necessities to individuals and families victims of these catastrophes (over 4,500 families served with hygiene kits), along with sanitary improvements for the school, setting up water wells and bladders to collect rain water.
Fraternite Notre Dame also works in cooperation with IOM (International Organization for Migrations). Following the earth quake, Jerrycans, blankets and tarps were distributed with IOM support, along with cots, kitchen cooking kits, house repair kits, etc. Over 70 temporary shelters were installed on Jacquot Mountain upon Fraternite Notre Dame request.
A temporary shelter was also set up to better serve the local population. Fraternite Notre Dame again performed a seed and hand-tool farming implement distribution after the natural catastrophe, with the FAO, as the population of the area mainly relies on crops to survive.
Fraternite Notre Dame works again with UNICEF and the PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) regional office of the World Health Organization (OMS) and also with PAM to prevent and treat cholera.
Fraternite Notre Dame, using its various programs already deployed, ensures the spreading of information messages and notices to prevent cholera from spreading among the residents of the 6th section of Cadets in Petion Ville, together with distribution of soap and re-hydration kits in areas that are mostly affected with the Cholera epidemics.
At the school, care is given to distribute soap and water purification tablets to each family thanks to the PAM.
Fraternite Notre Dame's dispensary set up a special unit of oral re-hydration, and ensures the transportation of patients in need of hospitalization to the nearest center of cholera treatment, which is in Port-au-Prince, whenever the weather conditions allow. We also reach out to remote areas where infections are detected, to reach those isolated cases of the illness and thus prevent cross contamination.
Indeed, the absence of Health centers or roads in these mountains makes it quite difficult to prevent and treat cholera. Many persons die without having received the necessary care or treatment, and they also contaminate the rest of their family.
Except for Fraternite Notre Dame, there is no other organization present or working in this very large mountainous area.
Additionally, Fraternite Notre Dame works in collaboration with other International NGOs, such as CRS (Catholic Relief Services), FH (Food for the Hungry), Food for the Poor, etc., especially for reconstruction after the catastrophe, and in this harsh fight against cholera.
