Isaac's Impact on Haiti

Only four days after Tropical Storm Isaac bombarded the nation of Haiti with strong winds and torrential rains, Hope Force Field Team member René Lako made the arduous journey from Sous Savanne to the remote community of Babay. Hidden in the foothills and blocked off from road access by a river, Babay was only recently discovered by Hope Force.
Since becoming aware of the village, René and Sous Savanne community leader Joseph had made the 1.5-mile trek to Babay twice already. On this third occasion, the trip was especially challenging since the road had gone from mediocre to impassable after Isaac. It soon became clear that walking was their best option, so René and Joseph set out on the last mile by foot.

"Rubber boots are great for muddy paths and crossing fast-flowing river beds, but they are bad for hiking the steep hillsides of Babay," René said. "But in less than an hour and a half, the Babay community leader and some of the other committee members were leading Joseph and I around the village's many make-shift shacks and tents. At the end my feet hurt, but the terrible conditions I saw hurt me more."

Although the ten transitional shelters that had been built in Babay by another relief organization survived the storm undamaged, many of the village homes did not fare so well. Most of the tents and makeshift shelters had some kind of damage, from ripped tarps to complete collapse. Even the shacks that remained relatively intact suffered from severe leakage through the roof and walls.

"Miraculously, most of the makeshift shacks more or less survived," René said. "Some had been repaired with tarps that had been pieced back together or even crudely sewn up. There were also some rusted roofing sheets that had blown away and been nailed back on; I could see the shiny new nails to prove that this was a recent repair job."

René and Joseph found that shocking living conditions were not the only problem faced by the people of Babay. The community also lacks a school, clinic, water well, and church. Babay community leader Louis commented, "These people had great difficulties during the storm. They were wet, cold, afraid, and had no help."

While Hope Force processes the logistics of expanding the "Houses of Hope" program to benefit Babay as well as Sous Savanne, the organization is working to meet the basic needs of those suffering from extreme deprivation. Already, a donation of clothing, tarps, blankets and water filters has been acquired and delivered to Babay.

"HFI feels called to reach out to those who have not yet been reached," René said. "These people in rural areas such as Babay and Sous Savanne are clearly outside of mainstream attention and aid. I wish we could start right away, as needs for adequate and safe housing are so great. It is our desire as the Haiti field team to bring better things to Babay -- in working together with them, we can make a difference."