Two years after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on 12th January 2010, Habitat for Humanity’s five-year disaster recovery programme has helped more than 40,000 families begin rebuilding their lives.
As part of its commitment to provide 50,000 families with pathways to permanent housing, Habitat has distributed more than 24,500 emergency shelter kits, constructed more than 4,000 transitional or upgradeable shelters, conducted 12,000 house damage assessments, repaired or rehabbed more than 350 houses and built 150 permanent homes. During 2012 a further 100 new homes will be built at the Leogane site which has the capacity for a total of 500 homes, if funding is available.
Having worked in Haiti for 27 years, Habitat remains committed to serving the community over the long-term. While the earthquake recovery programme has focused largely on the immediate shelter need, Habitat’s primary focus over the next three years will shift to partnering with Haitian families to provide permanent housing.
To help support the ongoing efforts in Haiti the 21st to 28th January has been designated as Haiti Week. Haiti Week was officially launched in Dublin on October 9th by President Bill Clinton. Events and activities will be held throughout Ireland to raise awareness of Haiti through art, music and the business community.
Haiti Week is an innovative partnership developed by a number of Irish charities and businesses to assist the development of new ideas and approaches that will help hundreds of thousands of Haitian people.
‘Haiti at Harlem’ hosted by Harlem Café, Bedford Street, is supporting efforts in Belfast. The café is partnering with Habitat to host a week long Haiti fundraising and awareness event highlighting the continued need for support for the work in Haiti.
Also, the ‘Haiti at Home Build’ will take place on Saturday 21st January at Templemore Avenue in East Belfast. The Haiti themed build day will give volunteers an opportunity to build in solidarity with Habitat volunteers in Haiti and learn more about Habitat’s work there. Places are limited for the ‘Haiti at Home Build’, anyone interested should email petera@habitatni.co.uk
The earthquake damaged nearly 190,000 houses in Haiti, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed. Of the more than 2 million affected survivors, 550,000 are still displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Habitat is a global leader in the provision of shelter for families and communities in need, helping more than 2 million people of all races, faiths and backgrounds have a safe, healthy place to live. When disaster strikes shelter is a priority and long after relief work is complete the need for permanent homes remains.
Chief Executive for Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland Jenny Williams:
“2 years after the Haiti disaster more than half a million people remain homeless, that is hard for us to imagine but almost 1/3rd of all the people in Northern Ireland. There has been real progress; Habitat and other agencies working in Haiti have helped many families rebuild their lives but there is still so much to do. Advocating on behalf of the people of Haiti is critical and we also need the continued support to help reach more families in desperate need of simple, decent homes.”
Habitat is also helping to build long-term economic growth and sustainability by training and hiring Haitian staff. Approximately 700 local job opportunities have been created by Habitat’s recovery programme and nearly 80 percent of its full-time central staff is Haitian.
In addition, Habitat has trained approximately 4,450 individuals in construction techniques, financial literacy, damage assessments, disaster risk reduction and business development.
Claude Jeudy, National Director for Habitat for Humanity Haiti, has seen first-hand the impact of Habitat’s work,
“The best way to build a society and strengthen a community is not simply to give them whatever they need, but empower them to take charge. By partnering with families and communities that is exactly what Habitat is doing.”