Family rebuilding its tent after heavy rains caused major flooding in Petionville Club, Port-au-Prince.

Credits: Mathilde Magnier/Caritas

The UN Haiti Donors Conference on 31 March in New York must set out a reconstruction agenda based on the participation of Haitian civil society.

Caritas says longer term reconstruction must be based on local capacity and the involvement of Haitians in the plans. Civil society must be supported.

Caritas is calling for:
  • Quick effective solutions to the human suffering being experienced today. Makeshifts camps need improvements in shelter, sanitation, and law and order. There must be support for outlying areas to encourage people to find more suitable places to live. Informed consent is key.
  • Plans must renew the whole country. Chronic food insecurity must be addressed by investing in economic growth, a green energy policy, livelihoods, small scale farming, and in combating environmental degradation and deforestation.
  • Protecting the rights of women and children must be a priority in the fragile post-disaster environment. Their advancement and protection must be at centre of reconstruction plans.
Caritas also calls for free healthcare for the poorest, reform of justice, including tackling corruption, fair elections at the appropriate time to ensure reconstruction plans have a popular mandate, and the withdrawal of foreign troops once Haiti’s police is able to provide security and guarantee civil rights.

Caritas Haiti President Bishop Pierre Dumas said, “All the aspects of health, environment, education, job creation and the development of the local production need to be taken into account. A “revive package” needs to be created.”

Caritas is working in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Petit-Goâve, Jacmel, Cayes, Gressier, Mirebalais, and Gonaïves. At least US $12 million has been spent so far according to Caritas members working in Haiti.
  • Shelter kits and tents have been given to 90,000 people.
  • Health care in the form of kits, health posts, and primary care at hospitals has been provide to 1,160,000 people.
  • Regular food supplies or hot meals have been given to 1,551,599 people.
  • Over 200,000 people have been given access to clean water or have been provided with hygiene kits.
  • 13,000 children, elderly, or disabled have received specific support in terms of places to play or meet, learn, or feel protected.
Please call Patrick Nicholson on +39 06 698 79 725 or +39 334 359 0700 or email nicholson@caritas.va with any requests.