Helping Haiti recover from the 2010 earthquake by providing long-term clean water solutions.
100% of the money raised funded clean water projects to serve more than 30,000 people in rural Haiti.
THE WATER CRISIS IN HAITI.
One-third of the nation lacked access to safe water before the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
In the months following the quake, the situation became devastating. A study by the World Health Organization
found that infectious diarrhea caused by unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation was
the second leading cause of death in Haiti, and the top cause for children under five
years old. Access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation continues to be one of
the greatest needs to prevent an epidemic of water-related deaths. 
604,215 PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED
FROM PORT-AU-PRINCE AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.
Thousands fled Port-au-Prince, returning to childhood hometowns or seeking shelter with distant relatives. This influx of people put a strain on the already limited community resources like clean water, food and shelter.
FROM PORT-AU-PRINCE AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.
GPS locations of the 10 water projects.
charity: water raised funds for 10
large-scale water projects in Haiti’s Central Plateau and on the Island of La Gonave.
Here, you can see their exact GPS locations and learn more about each project.OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND.
charity: water has funded more than 2,300 projects worldwide through 22 local implementing partners. We look for a number of proficiencies, conduct multiple site visits, and typically fund organizations with a proven track record of 10+ years in water and sanitation. In Haiti, our local partners are no exception. Concern Worldwide and Partners In Health (PIH) both have more than twenty years experience working in the Central Plateau and the island of La Gonave. The organizations are largely managed by local Haitian staff who construct the projects, mobilize local communities and monitor the work on a local level. 
CONCERN WORLDWIDE.
Concern has been working in Haiti since 1994, building schools,
providing health and microfinance services, constructing freshwater
projects and offering emergency relief.
They have worked internationally for 40 years in an effort to end extreme poverty.
This campaign will fund three projects with Concern in La Gonave.
This campaign will fund three projects with Concern in La Gonave.
PARTNERS IN HEALTH.
Partners In Health has been working in Haiti since 1987,
employing largely Haitian staff, like this water/sanitation team in Central Plateau.
PIH provides health care to the rural poor and has built the largest health care system
in Central Haiti.
This campaign will fund eight projects with PIH in the Central Plateau.
A LARGE-SCALE WATER PROJECT IN HAITI.
Mountain springs are usually found in mountainous areas and are formed as aquifers break the earth’s surface.
They can be excellent sources of drinking water, but if left
unprotected, they are easily contaminated.
When protecting a spring, a concrete spring box is built around the source, shielding it from parasites and debris.
After the spring is covered and protected, the water is piped to a holding tank which serves as a reservoir and filter - sand chambers inside make sure the water is crystal clean on the way out. Gravity then takes the safe water down the mountain to community tap stands below.
All ten regions we’ve funded will receive comprehensive hygiene and sanitation education through the campaign. Each community has agreed to donate time and labor to construct the projects. To keep the water clean and improve hygiene, they’ll also build household latrines, BioSand filters, laundry stations, handwashing faucets and animal troughs.
After the spring is covered and protected, the water is piped to a holding tank which serves as a reservoir and filter - sand chambers inside make sure the water is crystal clean on the way out. Gravity then takes the safe water down the mountain to community tap stands below.
All ten regions we’ve funded will receive comprehensive hygiene and sanitation education through the campaign. Each community has agreed to donate time and labor to construct the projects. To keep the water clean and improve hygiene, they’ll also build household latrines, BioSand filters, laundry stations, handwashing faucets and animal troughs.
THE RECORD.
BEFORE THE QUAKE.
charity: water began working in Haiti two years ago. Since then, we’ve funded 14
large-scale water systems serving 31,530 people.
When the earthquake hit, we encouraged our supporters to give directly to our two local partners who were leading the disaster relief efforts on the ground. In the inital days after the quake, we knew that water wasn't the only need - medical supplies, tents, food and shelter were needed just as much. We wanted the money to go wherever it was needed most.
Two weeks later, we began working on a plan for long-term water solutions. We traveled to 10 communities in need of clean water, and made a commitment to fund every single one with the help of your donations.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.
Our NYC office acted as a drop-off point immediately after the quake. We collected three trucks worth of supplies which were flown to Haiti.
photographs by Esther Havens | video by Paul Pryor | music by Cinematic Orchestra and The Rumor Mill