disaster
Before the Storm: How Haiti is Protecting Lives and Livelihoods through Resilient Infrastructure
By World Bank at ReliefWeb
· June 9, 2026
· 4 min read
. On June 1st – the Atlantic hurricane season will officially open. Although the US National Hurricane center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season, this period presents a major concern for the Caribbean until it ends in November. For a country like Haiti, where 96 % of the population is expos
Key takeaway In 2016, Hurricane Matthew killed 546 people, more than 175,500 people sought refuge in shelters, and about 1.
Why this matters
The construction of multifunctional safe havens in Haiti highlights the critical role of resilient infrastructure in disaster mitigation. With a significant portion of the population exposed to natural disasters, the country's vulnerability to storms and floods is exacerbated by inadequate shelter and infrastructure. The World Bank's support for building 20 safe havens across five departments addresses this urgent need, providing communities with purpose-built structures that can serve as emergency shelters during crises. The fact that these facilities can accommodate several hundred people and are equipped with sanitation facilities underscores the importance of planning and investment in disaster preparedness. As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, the completion of these safe havens can help reduce the risk of flooding and loss of life, particularly in areas like Plaine du Nord, where residents are often on high alert during storms. This initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to disaster relief, one that prioritizes prevention and community resilience.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 9, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering disaster and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . On June 1st – the Atlantic hurricane season will officially open. Although the US National Hurricane center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season, this period presents a major concern for the Caribbean until it ends in November. For a country like Haiti, where 96 % of the population is expos
When was this published? This article was first published on June 9, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Bank at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .