Haiti: the forgotten people of Praville

24 October  2008

© Gregory Vandendaelen/MSF

Praville is one of those small hamlets in Gonaïves, in the north of the country, partially located on a raised parcel of land and, therefore, partly protected against the torrents of mud which ravaged the fourth largest city in the country. It is here, on rocky ground, that large numbers of families who lost everything settled. The wind-swept land is vast and offers a broad view of the ocean. But the idyllic description stops here.

There were close to 2,000 people here on Thursday, 16 October; there were 900 the previous Friday. Not a single tree, hence no shade; the sun shines down relentlessly from dawn on and temperatures often reach 40 degrees; in the tents the temperature must reach close to 50 degrees at the peak of day.

Tents have to house two to three families. Here and there, organisations come to bring help, three latrines were built in the centre of the camp, and drinking water is brought nearby. Medical care is offered twice a week, but food still remains problematic.

Viola Siméus

A native of Parc Vincent, Viola is 28 years old. After the cyclone, a friend sheltered her and her children. As a result of a lack of space, she had to leave after a week. She is out of work and does not know how she will afford rent, even the cheapest. Her children will not go to school this year. There is no money. But Viola is worried mainly for their health; they are feverish and have flu-like symptoms.

She is alone here with her four children aged 1 to 11. She really doesn’t know where her husband is. He comes to see her once in while; one a month, she tells us. On 23 September, she received two containers of rice and two containers of beans, but nothing since.

Angeline Jean

Angeline is 22 years old. She lives on Francius Alley, in the K-Soleil area, one of the most ravaged sectors of Gonaïves. Five days ago, Angeline gave birth for the first time, here in this tent, helped only by one man from the camp. Kelly Arisma is the first baby to be born in the Praville camp. Eighteen people, 10 adults and 8 children, sleep in Angeline’s tent every night.

The Venezuelan consulate had promised milk powder, but that remains to be seen. To feed herself, Angeline eats flour mixed with water and, on rare occasions, some rice.

Regina Fatal

This 67-year-old lives in a tent with her husband, children and grandchildren; total 15 people in all. Madam Fatal remembers Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and Jeanne in 2004 well. But it is Hanna who took everything from her. Her home on Roland Alley, in the K-Soleil area, was completely destroyed, taken by the mud.

Since arriving here, she sleeps very little; the stones under her tent prevent her from sleeping.

Marie Augustin

Madam Augustin is a 40-year-old mother of six. She is expecting her seventh child who should be born within the next two months. Their home and their business on Liberté Street were completely destroyed by the mud. Everything was ready for her children’s school year, books and all. Hanna took everything.

She doesn’t see how her children can attend school this year. It is the birth of the next child that particularly worries her while she still has not received any food aid for her family.

Dérilene Dossout

Dérilene is 30 years old and has five children. Dérilene is sad and angry. Wisleine, her last one, is in her arms; the doctor who saw her, announced that the little one was anaemic and malnourished, but no drugs or therapeutic food was administered to her after the consultation.

MSF emergency intervention in Haiti