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Shelter
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people were left homeless by the 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. Even those whose homes were left standing were, in many cases, unable to return to these unstable structures as aftershocks continued to affect the country. Since the crisis, Episcopal Relief & Development has worked closely with its partners to provide temporary shelter for those affected. In total, Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners will have provided shelter for an estimated 31,000 people.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti has provided the site for a tent camp at College St. Pierre that, at one point, housed as many as 2,500 people.
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Immediately following the quake, the diocese furnished supplies to help 450 families construct temporary shelters. Three carpenters were hired to help with these activities.
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Tents for 400 families have been distributed throughout nine parishes and 500 more family tents will be distributed upon their arrival in Haiti.
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710 insecticide-treated tarps have been distributed to help construct temporary shelters and to reinforce tents from rain and sun. Lutheran World Relief has donated 6,000 additional insecticide-treated tarps to be distributed through the Episcopal network in Haiti.
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Future plans include the construction of provisional housing for up to 1,000 families. These housing structures, known as “T-shelters,” will be made to last for at least three years – they will include concrete flooring and cemented posts. According to international standards and as frequently as possible, the materials will be purchased locally and local labor will be used for construction. The diocese has selected an appropriate housing model and is training people to build these structures. This first phase of this initiative will provide T-shelters for 200 families.
