Update on Recovery in Haiti: An Interview with Action Against Hunger

We've all heard that even one-year after the earthquake, the situation in Haiti has remained dire and a lot of progress still has to be made. To get more specific information on the recovery efforts, we thought we'd ask our friends at Action Against Hunger. Check out the interview below.

What is your assessment of the state of Haiti one-year after the earthquake?

Despite the magnitude of the damage caused by the earthquake, progress has been made. Humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger have helped provide over a million people with food, clean water, education and shelter during the first year of recovery. They have repaired water infrastructure, built thousands of latrines and transitional shelters for families, provided access to basic health care, and helped families generate income through shelter construction and rubble removal projects. They have also managed to limit the spread of cholera in camps through large-scale information campaigns and the distribution of basic hygiene materials.

However, the effects of the earthquake—both physical and psychological—are still profound. Despite enormous progress, Port-au-Prince still lies in ruins, and its inhabitants still bear the scars and trauma of a devastating disaster. The government estimates that to date only 5% of the debris has been removed from the streets of the capital, and more than a million people continue to live in make-shift tents while awaiting adequate shelter.

The challenges of rebuilding Haiti remain immense. Sustainable infrastructure programs and opportunities to generate income are urgently needed to give people the means to provide their families with adequate food, shelter, and clean drinking water on a long-term basis.

What is the most important thing people should know about the recovery effort?

NGOs are working closely with the Haitian authorities, who are responsible for leading recovery and reconstruction efforts. Action Against Hunger and other humanitarian organizations are working to build the government’s capacity to provide basic services and are collaborating on hundreds of projects across Haiti.

The government lost key employees after the earthquake, and many others chose to leave the country. In addition, buildings and institutions were destroyed and records lost. While the government gets stronger, humanitarian organizations are helping to fill gaps from providing access to clean drinking water to getting anti-retroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patients. There are many more needs that must be addressed in the long-term reconstruction process, such as improving the provision of water and sewage treatment, which would help prevent water-borne diseases such as cholera.

If someone wants to help or get involved, what can (should) they do?

Support an organization involved in long-term recovery efforts in Haiti that has a proven track record of success. For example, Action Against Hunger is continuing to provide hundreds of thousands of Haitians with nutritional care, access to clean water and sanitation, opportunities to generate income, and psychosocial support. We’re also working to reduce the risks associated with future natural disasters, promote long-term food security, encourage sustainable agricultural and water management practices, and strengthen the capacity of local institutions to deliver basic health services. Visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/haiti to learn more.

Help Spread the Word about Global Hunger

Think there's nothing you can do to Help fight Global Hunger in 1 Minute?

Starring - Mary Micari
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information provided by: ActionAgainstHunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org

Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Help Fight Hunger in New Orleans

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight hunger in New Orleans in 1 Minute?

Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, www.no-hunger.org

Special Thanks: Linzy Cotaya and everyone at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Learn about the Global Hunger Crisis

Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Global Hunger in 1 Minute?

Starring - Richard Tortorici & Grace Tortorici
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org

Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Help Fight Hunger in DC

Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Hunger in DC in 1 Minute?

Starring - Carolina Caro
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: SOME, www.some.org

Special Thanks: Tracy Monson and everyone at SOME, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Help Fight Malnutrition

Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Malnutrition in 1 Minute?

Starring - Fernando Alicea
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org

Special Thanks: Susanah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Fight Global Hunger

Support Action Against Hunger and help fight global hunger today.

“854”: malnutrition & the food crisis in Niger from Action Against Hunger USA on Vimeo.

Safe Drinking Water

Think there's nothing you can do to help provide Safe Drinking Water in 1 Minute?

Starring: Julie Tortorici
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information provided by: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org

Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger,and Dennis Arinella


For more information, please visit - What You Can Do .

A conversation with Susannah Masur, communications officer at Action Against Hunger to honor World Water Day

Some of you WYCD followers out there, may remember the name Susannah Masur. She is a communications officer at the organization, Action Against Hunger We worked with Susannah and Action Against Hunger on videos for our first Hunger week. In addition to focusing on issues such as hunger and malnutrition however, this organization also puts their attention toward access to clean drinking water.

This week, in honor of World Water Day, What You Can Do premieres our Clean Drinking Water week. Since World Water Day is tomorrow, March 22nd, we thought the best way to open the week was to get more background on the importance and significance of this Day – and that’s where Susannah comes in. To find out more about World Water Day and the plight of many without access to clean drinking water, please read below.

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Tomorrow is World Water Day. Can you explain the significance of this day and why it is necessary?

At home in the United States, clean drinking water is easy to come by. We can simply turn on the faucet, and out it comes. So it’s easy to forget that in many parts of the world, people simply don’t have access to clean water. Roughly a billion people drink from dirty water sources on a daily basis. And, more than a third of the world’s population lives without access to basic sanitation and hygiene. Unsafe water and unsanitary living conditions lead to a host of water-borne illnesses that can devastate entire communities across the developing world. Every day, 4,000 children die from entirely preventable water and sanitation-related illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera. And in Africa, it’s estimated that half of all girls that stop attending primary school do so because of a lack of safe and private toilets. World Water Day was established by the United Nations in 1992 with the goal of drawing the world’s attention to this global water and sanitation crisis.

What’s the good news? The situation isn’t hopeless at all. We know how to save the lives of millions of children, protect our natural resources, and advance education and economic growth by deploying solutions that already exist. Individuals and agencies like Action Against Hunger are providing communities all over the world with sustainable access to clean water and sanitation and training in hygiene practices like hand-washing and safe water handling. What’s missing is the funding and political will to scale up these proven, cost-effective solutions to reach more communities in need.

What, in your opinion, is the major reason that so much of the world is lacking access to clean water?
There are many reasons why people may lack access to clean water, but much of it boils down to one simple fact: by and large, donors, governments, and the public have not prioritized this issue. We’ve made a lot of headway on a lot of global health issues, including HIV/AIDS and other preventable illnesses like river blindness. But we haven’t done the same for water, sanitation, and hygiene.

For example, it’s estimated that for about $30 billion, near-universal sanitation can be achieved. When you add up all the current global funding for sanitation, it’s only a fraction of this amount. To put things in perspective, the average amount spent on soft drinks in the United States every year is $72 billion. So $30 billion to ensure proper sanitation isn’t a lot of money in the grand scheme of things when you consider how many lives can be saved.

World Water Day is an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard on this issue. Clean water and sanitation can be a reality for people around the globe if we demand it.

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For more information, please visit - Action Against Hunger

Update from Action Against Hunger's work in Haiti

Hey there everyone... I was sent the below email from Susannah at the organization, Action Against Hunger, and wanted to pass the information along. I know we're all still thinking about the devastation and need in Haiti right now, so it's nice to get updates from organizations on the ground.
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Hello, again—

Here’s another update on Action Against Hunger’s latest efforts to provide emergency access to food, water, and sanitation services in Haiti.

In spite of gasoline shortages, airport delays, and other logistical limitations, we have assisted thousands of people left homeless and in dire need of life-sustaining supplies since the earthquake.

We’ve installed 32 large water reservoirs in makeshift camps for the displaced across Port-au-Prince, which provide 64,000 people with daily access to safe drinking water.

As sanitation and hygiene remains an urgent priority, we have constructed latrine facilities in camps in Gressier and Sainte-Marie, Port-au-Prince, and launched public awareness campaigns in these areas to encourage best practices in emergency settings.

So far, we’ve handed out 26 tons of vitamin-laden BP5 biscuits to over 13,000 vulnerable people, who were identified by neighborhood committees established in the camps. And in cooperation with the WFP, Oxfam, and the National Food Security Coordination Unit, we’re carrying out a rapid food assessment in affected areas to determine immediate and longer-term needs of the population.

Finally, another cargo plane carrying emergency supplies landed in Santo Domingo on Friday containing 4,200 sheets, 14,000 blankets, 30 tons of BP5 biscuits, water taps, additional bladder tanks, and other materials.


ACF Aid Reaches Thousands of Earthquake Survivors in Haiti
www.actionagainsthunger.org

Hope to be in touch.

All best,

Susannah


Susannah Masur
Communications Officer
……………………………………………………………………
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER | ACF-USA
www.actionagainsthunger.org

Latest Update from Action Against Hunger and their response to Haiti

Below is a communication sent from Action Against Hunger's Susannah Masur. Here's is their latest update on the work their doing regarding the relief efforts happening in Haiti.

Hello--

Here’s the latest update on Action Against Hunger's emergency response to the earthquake in Haiti.

As of yesterday, we have finished installing water points in the Champ de Mars and Canape-Vert neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. These “bladder” tanks, which are being filled by tanker trucks from surrounding areas, are providing clean water for 30,000 people congregated in these areas. We are also in the final stages of finishing emergency water distributions in the Croix de Pres district and at the stadium.

Meanwhile, in Leogane, 30 kilometers outside Port-au-Prince, we’re preparing to restore access to drinking water to a population of approximately 125,000 by rehabilitating water points and establishing treatment facilities.

And in Gonaives, which has seen an influx of earthquake survivors, we are launching an emergency intervention to distribute water to local hospitals and health centers.

According to Lucile Grosjean, our spokesperson in Haiti, “Not a single drop of water is available in the K-Soleil hospital in Gonaives. Doctors and nurses have no water to wash their hands, and patients are desperately thirsty. Relatives are trying to buy water in the streets, but with little money available and prices doubling in most regions, it is nearly impossible to find drinking water.”

ACF Provides Thousands of Liters of Clean Water in Haiti
http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/pressroom/releases/2010/01/20

And just last night, we unloaded our first shipment of BP-5, a special high-energy biscuit that we’ll distribute to approximately 15,000 children under five.

Hope to be in touch.

Cheers,

Susannah Masur
Communications Officer

An Interview with Susanna Masur from Action Against Hunger

An Interview with Susanna Masur from Action Against Hunger

Closing out hunger week, Jessica and I wanted to interview someone who could speak to this devastating issue on an international level. Our interview with City Harvest allowed us to address the impact of hunger locally, so we felt it was important to also look at it from an international standpoint.

I have known about the organization, Action Against Hunger for some time now. I am on their newsletter list and I’ve always been interested in the work they were doing. Once we began “What You Can Do” they were one of the organizations I was hoping would sign on and sure enough – they did! Below is my interview with Susannah Masur from Action Against Hunger. In getting her expert viewpoint, what I found most interesting was that, while most of us know how widespread an epidemic hunger and malnutrition are, I’m not sure how many people realize that there are specific solutions out there. Indeed, this problem seems to come with some hopeful answers.

The following is the interview with Susannah. Hopefully you find it as interesting as I did!

1. What, if any, misconceptions do you feel that people have about world hunger?

One major misconception is that world hunger is a problem too daunting to solve. In reality, the fight against hunger can be won. We have the tools and knowledge to do it. What we lack is the political will. In the 21^st century, we’ve made major strides in the battle against HIV/AIDS. And most countries on earth have banned the use of landmines. We can do the same for hunger, but people have to stand up and demand it.

Another common misconception is that hunger is mostly limited to Africa. On the contrary, malnutrition is rampant throughout much of the developing world. In fact, the country with the greatest number of malnourished children is actually India. Despite their growing middle class, millions of children there don’t get the nutrients they need to survive.

2. In your opinion, what is the greatest hope on the horizon regarding the fight against world hunger?

There is reason to be very optimistic about the fight against hunger. For the first time in history, we can end acute malnutrition, a condition that affects some 55 million children today and kills up to five million of them every year.

A range of nutritional products has been developed in the last few years that has literally revolutionized the treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition. Ready-to-Use Foods, or RUFs for short, are specially formulated to jumpstart a malnourished child’s metabolism, revive organ and cell function, and initiate weight gain. Unlike previous products, they require no preparation, no mixing with water, no refrigeration, and most importantly, no hospitalization. Action Against Hunger has saved hundreds of thousands of lives using these RUFs by working with community members to identify, treat, and follow-up with acutely malnourished children. Still, less than 10% of children suffering from acute malnutrition around the world have access to life-saving treatment.

The good news is that community-based care using RUFs can be scaled up to reach the millions of children suffering from the condition. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet because it hasn’t been made a priority. At Action Against Hunger, we’re trying to change that through a new campaign to end acute malnutrition. Visitwww.actionagainsthunger.org/end-malnutrition to learn more.

3. If someone is motivated beyond our 1 minute idea in the fight to end world hunger, what is your recommendation for them to do?

They can stay informed about the issues by signing up for newsletters and email alerts. They can visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/get-involved/join-us to keep up-to-date on Action Against Hunger’s life-saving humanitarian programs and latest developments in the fight against hunger.

Or, they can donate to organizations like Action Against Hunger that have proven success in fighting hunger and are cost-effective. Given more time, they can host a party at home to raise awareness and funds for organizations of their choosing.

Or what about giving a gift that gives back? There are a number of establishments that donate a portion of their proceeds to hunger organizations. Visithttp://www.actionagainsthunger.org/get-involved/partnerships for a list of participating stores.

4. Has working with Action Against Hunger changed you in any way that you’d like to share with our audience?

Action Against Hunger is an extraordinary organization, and I’m privileged to be among a group of dedicated and passionate colleagues. I’ve been truly inspired by their work with populations in crisis and by the professionalism they show, even under the most difficult circumstances.

I’ll give you one example: Daisy Nyaga, our Public Health Program Manager in Kenya, was just honored for the extraordinary work she does in distressed communities. Daisy works with families to improve their health and prevent illnesses like malaria, dysentery, and cholera that are major contributing factors to malnutrition and kill millions of children in developing countries every year. She spends hours and hours talking to mothers and their children about basic care practices—like the importance of breast-feeding and nutrient-rich diets—and steps they can take to improve hygiene and sanitation. This is exhausting work, but it’s critically important in Kenya and other countries where unsanitary conditions lead to childhood deaths. It’s amazing what a difference she and the thousands of other Action Against Hunger staff working around the world have made. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from them.

An Update from Action Against Hunger

The below email is from the organization, Action Against Hunger.  We've worked with them on a couple of WYCD videos and they are active in the relief efforts in Haiti. Have a look for more information.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | January 14, 2010

Emergency Access to Water, Sanitation Top Priorities in Haiti
ACF’s initial assessments indicate widespread need for clean water and sanitation to prevent outbreaks of disease

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI—Less than 48 hours after a massive quake devastated parts of western Haiti, Action Against Hunger’s teams already on the ground have fully mobilized to meet humanitarian needs. In addition, external emergency personnel from Action Against Hunger | ACF International have arrived to reinforce relief efforts already taking place, assess needs, and set up programs to assist disaster victims.
 
Action Against Hunger’s top priority is access to safe water and sanitation, and the organization is especially concerned about controlling epidemics, as large swaths of the population are living on the streets among the deceased. This massive population of homeless people has no access to adequate sanitation, including latrines, which greatly increases their risk of disease.
 
While conditions make it extremely difficult to carry out accurate assessments—with more than 80% destruction in certain parts of Port-au-Prince—ACF’s initial response will ensure access to clean water and sanitation, nutritional support for children (especially infants under six months of age), distributions of food rations, public health and hygiene promotion, and mental health services for at least the next several months. Emergency stocks of water and sanitation supplies have arrived from ACF’s programs in the nearby city of Gonaïves. These water treatment stations, vehicles, and communications equipment will enable the organization to begin mitigating the enormous water and sanitation challenges facing the Haitian population.
 
In response to the urgent need for additional emergency water and sanitation supplies, Action Against Hunger has partnered with Airbus to send an A340 cargo plane with 150 metric tons of material to Haiti, including: flexible water tanks, latrines, emergency units of water treatment, jerry cans, drinking water kits, computers and communications equipment, and an additional team of four technical experts.
 
Action Against Hunger expresses its appreciation to Airbus for their support in sending cargo and to Aquassistance for their provision of units of water treatment in response to the crisis in Haiti.
 
Action Against Hunger has implemented programs in Haiti since 1985, carrying out emergency measures in the areas of health and nutrition. Since 2001, ACF has focused primarily on food security and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs in both emergency and development contexts in Port de Paix, Gonaives, Anse Rouge and Jeremiah.
 

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ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Action Against Hunger | ACF-International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in some 40 countries benefitting 5 million people each year.

 
Susannah Masur
Communications Officer"
……………………………………………………………………
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER | ACF-USA
www.actionagainsthunger.org http://www.actionagainsthunger.org>
212-967-7800 x133

Think there's nothing you can do to fight Global Hunger in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Global Hunger in 1 Minute?

Starring: Karen T. Hartline
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group


Statistical Information provied by: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com