United Nations agencies now understand what the most pressing, basic needs are in Haiti, in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew: food, clean water, access to health services, education, and, in some cases, reunification of families, says Douglas Reimer, UNICEF’s regional adviser for emergencies.
What isn’t clear yet is the scale of the aid that will be required in the weeks and months to come.
“I think the extent [of the damage] is greater than we thought it would be and certainly than we hoped it would be. To the extent possible with the help of our partners … we were quite ready and prepared in many aspects, but I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared for a catastrophe like this,” Reimer said in a phone interview with Devex from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
About the author
Amy Liebermanamylieberman
Amy Lieberman is the U.N. Correspondent for Devex. She covers the United Nations and reports on global development and politics. Amy previously worked as a freelance reporter, covering the environment, human rights, immigration, and health across the U.S. and in more than 10 countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Nepal, and Cambodia. Her coverage has appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Slate, and the Los Angeles Times. A native New Yorker, Amy received her master’s degree in politics and government from Columbia’s School of Journalism.
