Description

UNICEF correspondent Chris Niles reports on efforts to deliver safe water to displaced children and families in Haiti.

Transcript

Safe Water for Displaced Children and Families in Haiti Chris Niles: In Canapé Village is outside of Port-Au-Prince, patients assemble to collect fresh water. Richard Alleyne: We are at one of the spontaneous settlements that were created right after the earthquake. This point is also serving as a one distribution point and it’s being led by UNICEF and her partners. Chris Niles: These bladders hold 10,000 liters, the part of the network of more than 100 water distribution points across the city. Prior to the earthquake, only about 50% of Haitians had access to clean water making them even more susceptible to disease. Silvia Gaya: We are trying to support the governments to organize the world of tracking until here. They pump water in. Somebody calls this week within the cities. They chlorinate the water and they put it in the trucks to bring it here where there is bladder tank and where is the system of this distribution where people can get their water, a minimum of five liters person per day. Chris Niles: Proper sanitation is the other crucial link in keeping disease at bay especially in settlements like this one in Carrefour, the epicenter of the quake where UNICEF and its partners are building latrines for the more than 10,000 people who have settled here. Silvia Gaya: These people are struggling with basic needs that they are not still covered. Of course, UNICEF is supporting. They’re providing clean water but it's also very important we insist on the sanitation issue because people are living together in a very small place and sanitation is one of the biggest problems for them. Chris Niles: Water is critical to stave off a second wave of disaster in Haiti. UNICEF aims to reach half a million people with fresh water in the coming days. This is Chris Niles reporting for UNICEF Television. Unite for Children