Leogane, Haiti – February 25, 2010 – IRD began assessments of infrastructure needs in Leogane on Tuesday. A team of seven, including two engineering experts, conducted door-to-door interviews with residents and visual assessments in order to prepare the best plan forward for the Leogane community.

“We’re leaning on IRD,” said Santos Alexis, Mayor of Leogane. IRD is working closely with the Mayor and met with him just prior to the assessment to determine the reconstruction priorities for Leogane. IRD hopes to provide more permanent solutions for residential housing, commercial property, and historical community centers. “Leogane enjoys a rich heritage, having been home to ancient royalty and modern revolutionaries, and its heritage deserves to be celebrated and preserved,” said Francois de la Roche, IRD Field Team Lead.

Following Tuesday’s infrastructure assessment, IRD distributed emergency shelter materials to 1,000 Leogane families. To date, the team has provided shelter for 2,000 families in Leogane and has plans to distribute materials for an additional 1,500 families in the coming weeks.

IRD has chosen Leogane as the primary location for its work in Haiti, as it was one of the towns closest to the epicenter of the January 12 earthquake and experienced 90 percent destruction. In addition to emergency shelter and the more permanent structures considered as part of Tuesday’s infrastructure assessment, IRD remains committed to assisting with longer-term sanitation and water infrastructure needs.

Since arriving in Haiti, IRD’s field team has also been able to distribute water, hygiene kits, and solar flashlights to camps to help with local security patrols at night. The team is also working to coordinate the shipment and distribution of more than $9.5 million worth of donated commodities, including medical supplies, medicines, rehydration salts, water purifiers, shelter materials, hygiene kits, and solar-powered lights.

Cash contributions continue to be critical to the relief efforts in Haiti:

An estimated 3.5 million individuals have been affected by this disaster, and the number of deaths is expected to be at least 100,000. The IRD Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund has raised nearly $200,000 to help the people of Haiti. Those who wish to donate can also call 1-866-595-1100, or text REBUILD to 85944.

You can also stay up-to-date on the latest Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts by following us on Twitter @ird_relief, or become a fan of us on Facebook under the name International Relief and Development.

To request an interview, please contact Aubrey Gemignani at 703-248-0161 or press@ird-dc.org. In Haiti, please contact Melissa Price at 36175876.