Haiti
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Photo: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps
Our strategy
Transition from emergency assistance to long-term support that helps rural communities, entrepreneurs and youth to build a stronger, more self-sufficient country.
The context
The January 2010 earthquake dealt a tragic blow to a country where 55 percent of the population already lived below a poverty line of $1 a day. Still struggling to rebuild, many families have no means to support themselves. Harmful environmental practices have also harmed the country's vital agricultural land, decreasing production and leading to increased food insecurity.
Our work
- Emergency response: Reached more than 1 million people with emergency supplies, clean water, cholera prevention and temporary jobs immediately after the January 2010 earthquake
- Economic opportunity: Helping women start small businesses to support their families — and protecting them from future disasters with affordable microinsurance
- Agriculture & Food: Boosting farmers' harvests and helping rural communities organize for improved production
- Environment: Promoting sustainable land use practices and establishing alternative fuel sources that provide jobs
- Children & Youth: Using soccer to teach leadership, gender awareness, conflict resolution skills and HIV/AIDS prevention education
All stories about Haiti
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Haiti: A few scenes from Port-au-Prince May 11, 2010
Lush, green mountains surround Port-au-Prince. The sun in the sky is bright. The city rolls down the flanks of these mountains to the ocean.
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Haiti: En route to Port-au-Prince May 9, 2010
This afternoon I left a sunny, serene Portland, Oregon. At the ticket counter, when asked my final destination, Port-au-Prince sounded strange coming from my mouth. But here I am, on segment two of my journey, on a plane from Los Angeles to Miami.
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Haiti: A meeting of leaders for recovery in Haiti April 30, 2010
Last week Mercy Corps hosted the Haitian Minister of Tourism, Patrick Delatour, in Washington, DC to spur thinking about how the government, private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can work together to promote recovery in Haiti.
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Haiti: Helping ensure that small Haitian businesses can start over April 18, 2010
One of Mercy Corps’ first interventions in Haiti was engaging in a partnership with Fonkoze, a leading Haitian microfinance institution that works with women.
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Haiti: Why we should give more March 31, 2010
Today in New York, donors will be asked to provide $11.5 billion to help Haiti recover from the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake. Since the U.S. government has already provided more than $700 million in assistance — a number that will likely rise — some might ask: Why should we give more?
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Haiti: Hearts open everywhere March 26, 2010
I have been making Mercy Corps presentations to a variety of service organizations, schools, and churches since the earthquake in Haiti, but yesterday was unique. I had to purchase special clothing for this appointment!
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Haiti: Everyday experts March 24, 2010
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Haiti: Transforming Haiti's countryside March 16, 2010
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Haiti: Cash-for-work and planning for the future March 14, 2010
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Haiti: Training to help children heal — a healing process in itself March 10, 2010
I’m Fabiola, a part of Mercy Corps Haiti’s staff of nationals, hired as the communication officer about three weeks ago. Needless to say, keeping up with Mercy Corps’ energy and momentum has been challenging but mostly fun and almost always rewarding.