At least three people lost their lives in Fonds Des Negres, a rural village in Haiti, when they were swept away by flood waters following the passage of Hurricane Matthew.
Two young girls and one man were washed away trying to cross a swollen river. It is still uncertain whether their bodies have been recovered.
The roofs of more than a dozen homes were blown off, some homes damaged by landslides and others collapsed against the power of the floods.
Yesterday, just over a week after the deadly storm passed, many families remain helpless. Some visit the places where they once called home during the day because they have nowhere else to go.
Some are lucky to spend the nights by neighbours. But as Ronald says, many spend their days begging for food and find a place to pass through the night.
No aid has reached this community. Despite the destruction, Pastor Jean Francois Desravines says it feels like his community “has been forgotten.”
Container trucks and United Nations convoys pass through Fonds Des Negres almost daily, he says “but they do not stop.”
Most are headed to Les Cayes which faced the brunt of Matthew’s wrath. Desravines says his people are suffering equally.
Local charity group, Is There Not A Cause (ITNAC), was the first group to bring aid, food and supplies to Fonds Des Negres in the aftermath of the storm.
“I hope the people of Trinidad and Tobago continue to help the people of Haiti until we can help ourselves,” he says, as he thanked the group and the people for their assistance.
Local doctors hired by the group saw more than 110 people. Many of them had never been medically examined before.
Dr Max Lincoln says the most common ailments were gastroenteritis, gas, vaginal infections, respiratory infections and high blood pressure.
Deborah Dowlath of ITNAC says vaginal infections were very common because of the poor quality of water.
Today, Guardian Media will accompany ITNAC and its team to Les Cayes where the death toll is reportedly very high.
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Guardian Media has partnered with ITNAC and is encouraging citizens to donate relief items to this group which has been involved in a range of humanitarian and developmental projects since 2003.
Among the priority items needed are children clothes, non-perishable food, over the counter medication, baby supplies, bedsheets, towels and shoes. The items can be dropped off at Sa Maison Guest House, 6a Anderson Street, St James.
Cash donations can be made to ITNAC’s accounts at First Citizens 1660410 or Republic Bank at 510009446802.
For further information call any of the following numbers: 742-1879, 394-2042, 369-5595, 271-2077, 725-3118, as well as ITNAC’S Port-of-Spain office at 624-4162.