As Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in Haiti, Yolette Etienne, who is leading a humanitarian response team on the ground for aid agency ActionAid, says:
“The full extent of the devastation is unclear but we know many houses and schools have been destroyed and people are currently in a very precarious situation. We are expecting the impact on people to worsen as the storm continues.
“Conditions in evacuation shelters are very poor in some of the worst affected areas. There is no water, electricity and very little food. We are concerned for the safety and security of women, children and other vulnerable people.
“ActionAid will be providing emergency food and water to people currently in evacuation shelters. As the impact becomes clearer in the next few hours and days we will step up our efforts to make sure that helps reaches the people who need it the most.”
Editors’ note: ActionAid has been working in Haiti since 1997. After the devastating earthquake in 2010, we were able to reach more than 200,000 people with necessary supplies and long term support rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. We have built networks of women and young people who will help us reach the most vulnerable people affected by Hurricane Matthew.
