Five years after the earthquake in Haiti, the question is asked, “where all the donated money went” and what the impact was. CWS advocated for and applauds the passing of the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act by the U.S. Congress and supports a shadow report of a national human rights platform to the government of Haiti anti-corruption self assessment. Within CWS, an internal study is being completed to document impact and identify lessons learned of the house repair and livelihoods support programme for disabled people.
“A leaking house fools the sun, but cannot fool the rain.” This was the theme of a housing conference co-organised by Church World Service and held in Washington D.C. on Nov. 24, 2014. CWS continues to advocate for dignified housing not only for all those affected by the earthquake, but for any Haitian citizen in general. Words are put into action by supporting a housing and community development programme in Ganthier/Boen, where 37 new, solid houses were built over the past year and people are able to make a living thanks to access to seeds, goats, chicken and microcredit.
CWS believes in accompanying the Haitian people to gain autonomy and to be able to provide for their daily needs. To that end, CWS supports food security programmes in the Northwest department, providing microcredit, agricultural training, improving access to water and supporting income-generating community projects such as community stores and bakeries.
Child protection is another pillar of CWS work in Haiti. A Protocol for Prevention of Child Domesticity and Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children was completed and discussed at regional forums in all departments. CWS also supports research on the situation of child domestic servitude in Haiti that is coordinated by UNICEF and that will help to inform and guide future efforts in favour of Haitian children.
Church World Service continues to stand next to its partners and the people of Haiti, who show that “many hands make light work.” This report is the story of our work over the past 18 months.