Sikhs Open a Water Treatment Plant in Haiti Over 5000 Survivors of the 2010 Earthquake have Access to Clean Drinking Water. UNITED SIKHS honored with a Haitian National Flag.
In its continuous efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate Haiti and provide humanitarian relief in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, UNITED SIKHS opened a water treatment plant on March 31st 2012. This plant provides clean drinking water, by a reverse osmosis system process to over 5000 Haitians on a daily basis. The project is an effort to address the severity of a cholera epidemic and other water related illnesses that cause sickness, death and destabilize a nation.
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| Residents digging a well in the city of Aux Cayes. | Be Your Best Community Reverse Osmosis plant |
“It is an honor to meet such a great organization that brings the first water plant to Aux Cayes. Hope you will continue working with us. We need hospitals and medical assistance for women who are dying of childbirth,” stated Astrel Dolne, Deputy of Aux Caye.
United Nations’ Statistics
- 600,000 Haitians still without shelter
- General population is extremely vulnerable and faces food insecurity and the threat of cholera.
- The Cholera death toll has neared 6,500 over the past year
UNITED SIKHS’ finding
- Sanitation and the provision of safe water is a national priority.
- It takes 5 liters of well water to make 1 liter of clean bottled water.
- Average Haitian family uses 5 gallons of water per day.
- Almost 70 percent of the available fresh water gets used for irrigation in agriculture.
Luna Charles, UNITED SIKHS’ relief coordinator in Haiti, worked diligently with locals to build the water treatment plant. The Deputy, City Mayor, Police Chief, Justice for Peace and Inspector of Education attended the opening ceremony in Aux Cayes. UNITED SIKHS was honored with the Haitian National flag for its continuous humanitarian relief effort in the country. Amritpal Singh, Sikh Aid national coordinator, received the National Flag.
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| Children appreciating and honoring the Rice Donation | R-L: Aux Caye Judge, Police Chief at Inauguration ceremony |
“If you ever need any assistance in regards to security, we will be at your service for any future projects. Thank you,” said Lundi, Director of Police.
“Your organization is welcome in our country. If you need any assistance our office will support you 100 percent,” said Ernst Voltaire, Mayor of Torbeck
“The Haitian people would like to extend their hands to say thank you to UNITED SIKHS for sponsoring a water treatment plant and compound for the community in Aux Cayes, ” said Jeudy Fenel, Inspector of Education.
2011 Updates:
UNITED SIKHS distributed 20 tons of rice to over 25 orphanages and make-shift camps to enable the feeding of over an estimated 250,000 meals. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara of Thailand donated the rice. The UNITED SIKHS Aid team shipped the rice to Haiti and set up distribution in Santo la Plaine, Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, Aux Cayes, Montrouis, Mirebalais and Coteaux Port Salut. Deputies in each area assisted the team in distribution.
Institution Academic Culture D’Haiti (IACH) is a UNITED SIKHS sponsored school project looked after by Ishmeet Singh. IACH is located in Karefour, Port-au-Prince and run by Director Ernso Francois with the assistance of 9 teachers. It has an enrollment of a 125 students and holds classes from KG to 6th Grade. Hero Haiti, an education focused NGO provides expert guidance to IACH.
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| Lun Charles and Amritpal Singh at Haiti Water Plant | Ishmeet Singh & Steve Kirby at UNITED SIKHS sponsored school |
“UNITED SIKHS pays the entire salary of all teachers. We though still need better infrastructure for classrooms and more equipment to provide a more vibrant education to our children,” said Mr. Ernso Francois, Director IACH.
In this turbulent situation significant humanitarian needs remain and must be addressed, we all need to step up as leaders and coordinate our efforts,” said Kuldip Singh, President UNITED SIKHS-USA.
“I want everyone to remember that the humanitarian crisis is not over. We cannot forget the hundreds of thousands of jobless people who are living in camps. We shall continue to support Haiti,” said Bikramjit Singh, President Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara, Delta-Surrey, BC, Canada.
UNITED SIKHS volunteers continue to work on international relief efforts including bringing awareness to the immediate need of medical attention, food, water and shelter to thousands of Haitians. Your donation of any amount could help save lives and have a lasting impact on a family in need by providing food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
$100 per month sponsors the education of 12 children. Donate now.
Relief services provided post 2010 Earthquake
| Year | Services Provided | Expenses (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 (Till May) |
Medical Camp – Apr | 7,000 |
| Water Treatment Plant, Aux Cayes City – Mar | 39,000 | |
| IACH School Sponsorship – Yearly | 20,000 | |
| Distribution of Clothes and Kids Toys – Feb | 5,000 | |
| Aux Cayes School teacher’s Salary – May | 500 | |
| Volunteer support In-Kind | 25,000 | |
| Sub Total | $96,500 | |
| 2011 | 2011 IACH School Sponsorship – Yearly | 20,000 |
| Rice Shipment & Distribution – Oct | 18,000 | |
| Distribution of Cloths and Kids Toys – Feb-Dec | 7,000 | |
| Cholera Awareness – May | 2,000 | |
| Volunteer support In-Kind | 33,500 | |
| Sub Total | $80,500 | |
| 2010 | Meal Served – Jan-Apr | 113,000 |
| Food and Supplies distributed – Apr-Aug | 63,000 | |
| Shelter provided to 5000 survivors | 25,000 | |
| Medical Supplies – Feb-Apr | 85,000 | |
| Volunteers Hours In-Kind of 85 ppl | 350,000 | |
| Sub Total | $636,000 | |
| Grand Total: | $813,000 |
Bring the substantive change and impact in someone’s life. Be the angel that helps children realize their dream.
Engage with UNITED SIKHS and make an impact, a difference, and a change within your community.
Contribute to UNITED SIKHS through a local chapter in your country www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php
