Canadian Red Cross completes shelter program in Haiti - work continues to improve access to health care

OTTAWA, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to announce the completion of its shelter program in Haiti, providing over 7,500 families in Jacmel and Leogane with earthquake and hurricane resistant homes.

"These homes provide essential stability and protection to over 37,000 of Haiti's most vulnerable," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.  "Donations received from generous Canadians in the earthquake's aftermath have been used to provide these important houses, emergency aid and will continue to support long-term rebuilding in several areas, including health care."

While the Canadian Red Cross is proud to share this important milestone, its work in Haiti is far from over. The Canadian Red Cross continues to help build stronger, safer communities in Haiti through several projects, including the decongestion of camps in Port-au-Prince for 1,000 families and an integrated health program.

This week, the Canadian Red Cross is attending the Haïti-Santé conference in Port-au-Prince. The event, hosted by the Canadian Red Cross, the Haitian Red Cross, the Ministry of Health and Population of Haiti, and the Group for Reflection and Action in New Haiti (GRAHN), will bring together over 300 participants to discuss key health care issues in the country, strengthen the role of the Haitian state in this area, and facilitate long-term cooperation between stakeholders in Haiti and abroad. 

"The health needs in Haiti are enormous and not one organization can do it alone," adds Sauvé. "The Canadian Red Cross, alongside our partners from GRAHN, is proud to help bring together the Haitian Ministry of Health, as well as local and international partners to work towards a stronger health care system for Haiti's most vulnerable."

This conference is part of the Canadian Red Cross's five year health program that will seek to maximize positive, long-term health outcomes for Haitians by improving access to quality health services for mothers, newborns and children, and by strengthening community resilience in terms of community care and first aid. In cooperation with partners from GRAHN, the program will include working to rebuild the departmental hospital in Jacmel that was damaged during the earthquake, rehabilitating health centres, training health care professionals and local community workers, health education programing and strengthening institutional capacities in terms of planning, management and evaluation.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

SOURCE: CANADIAN RED CROSS

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