Stories from Survivors: Marie Carmelle Cadet
Marie Carmelle Cadet, 49, and Antoine Cadet, 54, have seven children - four girls and three boys
When we came across Marie Carmelle Cadet in a small camp by the side of Mariani's narrow streets, she was lying down because she felt so weak.
She said she hadn't eaten much at all since last week. "I'm hungry and my head is spinning," she said.
Marie Carmelle said people had been sharing their food but it's wasn't enough. "This relief distribution will definitely help," she said.
She was in the hospital looking after someone when the earthquake happened.
"My daughters were playing around upstairs on the bed.
"When it hit they grabbed the younger ones and ran out of the building before it collapsed."
She said they came to this open piece of land away from buildings for safety. Makeshift tents sit cheek by jowel with everyone crowded together. Most of the area has been devastated but it's hidden from view as it's away from the main road.
Marie Carmelle said they were still wearing the same clothes they came in. "We have to take them off to wash and wait for them to dry before putting them on again".
"My husband's a mason but he doesn't have any work to help us rebuild our house."
All her daughters were studying: "But when we have no money the college sends them back. I worry that that's going to happen now. We need financial help to rebuild our lives. We've lost everything.
"We'll just have to see what the government and foreigners do for us."
Image note:
Marie Carmelle Cadet, 49, laying down with her daughters. Left to right: Caroline, 32, Roseline, 25, Sheila, 28, and Fabiola, 21. In the Second Picture, Marie is collecting food for her family in the small camp in Mariani. ©Charles Eckert/ActionAid
ActionAid is working with local partner Comité d'hebergement deliver food to displaced people in a small camp in Mariani. Each family received 7kg of flour, 5kg each of rice, maize and sugar, 1/2 gallon of cooking oil, water purification tablets and 2 cans of sardines /salmon - enough to last a family of six for two weeks.
We urgently need your help to stop this terrible disaster from turning into a long-term catastrophe. We have set up Emergency Appeal pages where you can help the thousands of Haitians who desperately need your support:
- In Brazil
- In the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom
If you live in the UK, you can also donate through the multi-agency "Disaster Emergency Committee" (DEC) - In the United States
- In Italy
- In Australia
- In Spain
- In Sweden
