Diary from Age UK's CEO

Arrival in Haiti

The flight from Miami reminds you of the scale of international response. Three flights to Haiti were taking off at similar times and our flight was packed with a mixture of relief workers, volunteers from US church groups and people from Haiti, either returning or visiting.

Little evidence at the airport remains of the manic first few weeks of the air lift. The first sign of the massive disruption are displacement camps alongside the runway. In other respects it feels like a busy airport working beyond its normal capacity.

Displacement camps

There are now more than 1,250 tented displacement camps scattered around Port-au-Prince and Leogane, hosting more than 2 million displaced people, with up to 800,000 older people over 60.

A number of issues impact lives in the camps; many people have little or no access to income, sanitation is poor and maintenance of access to clean water remains key. One in ten older people are single with no family, leaving them isolated and very vulnerable. 

In addition, many older people are also responsible for children under the age of 16.

We visited Camp GOH, where more than 7,000 displaced people have moved into shelters, provided by the Red Cross and Rotary Clubs. This camp has its own management and security with water provided by the Red Cross.

The challenge is that only around 20% of those living in displacement camps can return to their original dwellings – the pure scale of 2m displaced people presents a long-term challenge.

Villa St Vincent de Paul

Established 26 years ago by Sister Claudette, this is an inspirational home for over 100 older people, plus 8 handicapped children and a school for 300 children.

It was a pleasure to see the help that Age UK and HAI could facilitate, including provision of beds, plywood for temporary construction and financial support for staff. We discussed with Sister Claudette a grant to help construct an entertainment facility for the older people.

Can the government help?

We also met with ministers and members of the Government to discuss further support we can give to older people in Haiti.

One in ten of the population has a disability, there are 6,000 amputees and 20% are over 60 with almost no pension provision.

The Government has little resource to help – it has been unable to collect taxes for two months and, with the rainy season and the hurricanes that will follow, there are real problems to address.

The spirit is strong

Human spirit in Haiti, despite the destruction, is strong with so many people positive and forward looking.

Haiti has a complex history, the first black-led republic, but dictatorships have left the country as the poorest nation in the Americas, with half the population on less than $1 a day.

The scale of international response to the devastating earthquake is unprecedented and from the dust many now see a unique opportunity to rebuild Haiti.