【慈幼通訊社
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2016 年
11月
29
日海地萊凱訊】
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颶風馬修吹襲海地西部，轉眼已過了五十天。河水上漲以及連場豪雨，加劇了當地的災情。然而災區貧民所受的困苦，並非全部源於自然災害。根據英國廣播公司(BBC)的報導，「海地的市區逾半數居民，棲身於嚴重擠迫的貧民窟內，不能抵禦地震、颶風及疫症。」然而，慈幼會士仍在那裡，與人民一起：進行救援及重建工作。
援助主要用於重建計劃、農業、糧食及獎學金用途。馬德里慈幼會福傳辦公室及非政府組織青年與發展(Jóvenes y Desarrollo)，參與全部上述的援助計劃。
首個計劃涉及採購、技術支援和分發建築材料，協助200個受颶風馬修影響的家庭，改善他們的居住環境。
聯合國糧食及農業組織(FAO)，於海地風災後進行的評估，顯示農作物、牲畜及魚業「嚴重受損」。根據該組織的資料，「颶風幾乎破壞整個大灣省及南部的糧食生產及畜牧業。」
馬德里慈幼會福傳辦公室及非政府組織青年與發展，已展開第二項計劃，這也許是最急需的工作 ─「透過向農民及他們的家庭，提供種子及農具，提昇糧食穩定性及鼓勵家庭事業的發展。」工作計劃將分四個階段進行：
─ 舉行簡介會，讓家庭得悉這個計劃。
─ 購買種子及農業設備。
─ 分發種子及農業設備。
─ 培訓農民使用農具及掌握耕種技術。
這項援助計劃將為期六個月，受惠家庭數以百計。「一項聯合國糧食及農業組織有關糧食穩定性的評估顯示，約有140萬海地人民欠缺穩定糧食供應，需要人道援助，其中約有806,000人急需糧食援助。」
中華會省鮑思高國際慈幼辦公室曾為海地風災災民籌款，並籌得約80萬港元。該筆款項已於上月經由慈幼會總部匯到海地慈幼會。
"About 800,000 people need urgent food aid": the Salesians help and continue rebuilding
(ANS - Haiti –Les Cayes, 29 November 2016) –(ANS - Les Cayes) - It's been 50 days since Hurricane Matthew devastated the western region of Haiti. This tragedy is compounded by flooding due to overflowing rivers and heavy rains. But it is not only nature that persecutes the poor. According to the BBC, "More than half of urban dwellers in Haiti live in overcrowded slums, vulnerable to any earthquake, hurricane or epidemic." However, the Salesians are still there, working with the people: helping and rebuilding.
The aid given is intended for reconstruction projects, agriculture, food and scholarships for students. The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the NGO Jóvenes y Desarrollo participate in all these aid programmes.
The first project involves the purchase, technical support and distribution of building materials for 200 families affected by Hurricane Matthew, in order to improve their living conditions.
Assessments carried out in Haiti by FAO after Hurricane Matthew speak of "serious damage" to crops, livestock and fishing. According to FAO, "food production and local livelihoods were destroyed almost entirely in the provinces of Grand'Anse and South by the hurricane".
The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the Jóvenes y Desarrollo NGO have started their second project, which is perhaps the most urgent and necessary - "to promote food security and the development of families through the provision of seeds and agricultural tools to farmers and their families ". The project will be implemented in four phases:
- Sessions to make families aware of the project.
- Acquiring seeds and agricultural implements.
- Distribution of seeds and agricultural implements.
- Training of farmers in the use of tools and agricultural techniques.
This assistance will be extended for a period of six months and will benefit hundreds of families. "An FAO assessment on food security estimates that about 1.4 million Haitians are in need of humanitarian assistance, of whom about 806,000 are in need of urgent food aid."