Crisis in Haiti
Latest update from Haiti:
Purification packets provide 11 Million Liters of Safe Drinking Water to Haitians
Washington, DC, Jan. 27, 2010 — PSI is rushing a mass delivery of water purification treatments to Haiti that will provide survivors of the earthquake with more than 11 million liters of safe drinking water. A boat loaded with 1.1 million PUR™ Purifier of Water, sachets left PSI’s Panama warehouse and will arrive in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince this weekend. Once there, the Red Cross will distribute the sachets to thousands of families in need.
"As we access water in Haiti, what is often needed most is a way to purify water so people can drink it," says David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services for the American Red Cross. "Thanks to PSI's support, Red Cross volunteers will now be able to provide more than a million purification packets to give earthquake survivors clean drinking water."
PSI is a leading global health organization that has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years and had 100 staff on the ground when the earthquake struck. Its top priority now, beyond ensuring the safety and security of all staff members, is to work with partners to make certain there is a consistent supply of clean drinking water in Haiti. At the same time, PSI is also developing a longer-term response plan to help contain and control outbreaks of other diseases that often occur after disasters, such as diarrheal disease, other waterborne illnesses and malaria.
“PSI is grateful to be working with the Red Cross and P&G to help provide relief to the people of Haiti,” said Karl Hofmann, President and CEO of PSI. “As the scope of this tragedy becomes clearer, we understand that only through partnerships like these will we be able to overcome the challenges ahead.”
Developed by P&G, the PUR™ sachet is a powdered water clarification and disinfectant technology that comes in small, easy-to-use packets. Distributed throughout the developing world and in regions affected by disasters, P&G has been partnering with organizations such as PSI for years to ensure clean water is delivered to those who need it most.
“The need for clean drinking water in Haiti is immediate,” said Dr. Greg Allgood, Director of P&G’s Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. “P&G is grateful to have a committed partner in PSI.”
Resources
Additional stories
- PSI Staff Coordinating Activities on the Ground in Haiti
- Ashley Judd Demonstrates How to Purify Water with PUR
- Latest Reports Confirm Urgent Need for Water
- PSI Addresses Critical Water Shortage in Haiti
- PSI Deploys Special Response Team in Region
- Major Earthquake Strikes Haiti
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Country: Haiti, Latin America & Caribbean