Haiti

Over the last week we have all been immersed in the humanitarian crisis that is taking place in Haiti.  When faced with human tragedy, we are compelled to solidarity and to find a way to stand along with those who must now cope with so much. 

Download the Haiti Emergency Action Pack

As part of Global Citizen Corps we have the skills to take action, build awareness to help those who are suffering. 

We as the Global Citizen Corps are putting out a Call to Action to our entire community.  We have developed an Emergency Action Pack with information about the earthquake in Haiti and ways that you can take action.  Additionally, you will find an Emergency Appeal Kit for fundraising for Mercy Corps, this document contains more information about Mercy Corps' response to the earthquake.  We will be setting up a Counting Change Survey, and you will be able to count this action as a Global Action Day.

Country Briefing

Haiti became the first independent Caribbean state in the early 19th century. Today, it is a nation of over 9 million people and the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with four out of five people living in poverty. Haiti has faced many challenges over the years that make it one of the least developed countries in the world. Political turmoil has been a persistent destabilizing factor, with recent waves of violence between rival gangs and
political groups having deadly consequences.

Environmental degradation has left Haiti’s physical landscape eroded. Deforestation and over-farming make the country more susceptible to flooding. Haiti also faces an annual barrage of hurricanes and tropical storms, a significant
burden on the already battered economy. A series of hurricanes in 2008 left 800 people dead and nearly $900 million in damages. These issues only worsen the country’s serious social problems. A large wealth gap exists between the poor Creole-speaking majority and the French-speaking minority, who possess nearly half of the country’s wealth. Issues such as drug trafficking and corruption only further reflect Haiti’s lack of infrastructure and civil society.

Situation Briefing

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude quake reduced much of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, to rubble. This was the worst earthquake in the region in over 200 years. Because of severe damage to local communication infrastructure, precise estimates of death and destruction are difficult to make. However the death toll is said to be upwards of 50,000 people. Overall, the quake has affected one in three Haitians, or 3 million people.

With the majority of buildings collapsing due to poor structural methods, the priority in the immediate aftermath is search-and-relief efforts for the thousands of people still stuck beneath the rubble. Relief agencies are also focusing on providing food, shelter, and medical care to the injured and homeless. The international community and various non-governmental organizations have mobilized relief efforts, but many obstacles stand in the way. Blocked roads, crowded airports and damaged seaports slow the progress of aid. Health concerns are growing as thousands of dead bodies lie in the street. The corpses can affect the water supply and sanitation, which can in turn lead to outbreaks of cholera or tuberculosis.

The long term impact of the earthquake is still yet to be determined. While immediate humanitarian relief efforts intensify, world leaders are gathering to determine the best long term plan to prevent a complete collapse of the Haiti
state. In the coming months as immediate aid wanes, Haiti will turn to the international community to help redevelop and rebuild.

Take Action

What are the Challenges?

As humanitarian relief efforts get underway, aid workers face many challenges in providing services to the Haitian people. Already poor infrastructure has collapsed or become nonexistent. As people grow more frustrated and desperate for services, looting and interpersonal conflicts are rising. Haitians face serious health risks as infectious diseases spread because of poor sanitary conditions and lack of clean water. Compared to other disasters that we have seen, such as Katrina in New Orleans, there is very little existing infrastructure to provide immediate material goods, such as canned food or clothing. The lack of security makes it dangerous to house volunteers or get trained staff into critical areas.

What's Being Done?

Currently, humanitarian relief agencies, such as Mercy Corps, are assessing the situation in order to provide the best possible plan to bring in supplies and aid. The United States along with international security forces are securing airports, ports, and logistical hubs so supplies can be safely transported and distributed.

What Can I Do?

We recognize that most of you want to offer supplies or find other ways to get involved, but the truth is that while long term plans may include donations of material aid, right now aid agencies urgently need financial donations in order to
cover the cost of such a massive humanitarian relief operation. Donating money will also help stimulate the local economy by allowing aid workers to purchase supplies locally.

Global Citizen Corps can channel donations to Mercy Corps here:
http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/globalcitizencorps

Also, if you choose to do a fundraiser at your school you can have a check made out to:

Mercy Corps
Put “Haiti” in the memo line
Mail to:
Attn: Amie Wells, Global Citizen Corps
Mercy Corps
Dept W
PO Box 2669
Portland OR 97208-2669 US