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Haiti: six months on 

In the wake of the devastating Haiti earthquake, Oxfam provided safe water for thousands of displaced people. Photo: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam Intermon

Thanks to overwhelming support from the public, Oxfam has provided essential aid to more than 440,000 people in the six months since the massive earthquake devastated Haiti.

In pictures: Haiti earthquake response

With your help we have provided:

• Water for 250,000 people
• Shelter for 98,000 people
• Sanitation for 94,000 people
• Food for 4.3 million people
• Cash for work projects for 6000 people

Thank you

Oxfam wishes to thank everyone who gave generously to the Haiti appeal. With your help and support we have been able to respond successfully to one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in recent times. To help us respond immediately to future emergencies, please support our rapid response emergency fund. 

Six months on: stories from Haiti

Marceline, Sabine and David in their temporary shelter at the Coraille relocation camp. Oxfam is also providing water, sanitation and public health activities. Photo: Jane Beesley.

Oxfam has reached thousands of people in the six months since the earthquake. Here are just some of their stories:

• Shelter for families
• Rebuilding livelihoods
• Ongoing support

An ongoing response

Oxfam’s livelihoods work in Haiti supports people in regaining their means of subsistence and in taking charge of their own lives. Our livelihoods grant programme will reach 30,000 families, or roughly 150,000 people, over the next few months.

The UN estimates that one third of the Haitian population was affected by the earthquake that struck in January 2010. Oxfam has enough money to fund our response to this emergency for at least three to five years.

For the next six months, Oxfam will focus on recovery in many of the hardest-hit areas. We will make sure that people have sustained access to water and sanitation to prevent disease. We will help them earn income and to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people who remain in camps. We will continue to rebuild communities and foster livelihoods.

Sanitation is now the biggest priority. Oxfam is helping to build toilets and bathing facilities in camps. With the arrival of the hurricane season there is increased the risk of disease outbreaks in crowded and poorly drained settlements. Oxfam's sanitation activities are ongoing, and our work clearing drainage channels is helping to reduce flooding.

Beyond meeting the immediate needs of people, Oxfam is advocating that long-term reconstruction must focus on four key areas:

• Support for Haitian farmers and small business
• Ensure poor areas benefit from cash grants to speed economic recovery
• Support for civil society and the Haitian government
• Build back better, for example earthquake proof buildings and alternative fuel sources to reduce deforestation.

Helping those most in need

Throughout the response, Oxfam will continue to look for ways to assist those least able to protect themselves in this emergency, such as women, girls, the elderly and disabled.