Although Haiti was not directly in Sandy’s path, the storm last month triggered heavy rains and severe flooding in the west and the south. Rivers which flooded during the storm washed away topsoil, fruit trees and cultures. Eroded banks gave way and protective walls were shattered.Plantations of corn, beans, sorghum, pigeon peas, bananas, tubers, peanuts, vegetables and rice were entirely destroyed or badly damaged by wind and water.
The hurricane destroyed at least 6,274 houses and damaged a further 21,427 according to the Haitian directorate for civil protection. Out of the estimated 31,370 people who lost their houses, most are now living with host families or in improvised accommodation, while 2,949 are still living in 18 hurricane shelters. Hundreds of public buildings, including cholera treatment facilities, hospitals and schools, were destroyed, and infrastructure, notably potable water networks, suffered significant damage.