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: Five-year-old gives up his secret stash February 2, 2010
Editor's note: This is one in an occasional series of short stories about inspiring and colorful donor contributions, efforts and events — both here in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.
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Haiti: A community's enthusiasm to heal their children February 1, 2010
Today was my first day in Haiti. It’s an experience to arrive here: I came on a small plane with five other aid workers, two of them were Mercy Corps colleagues.
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Haiti: Donors hear live updates from team in Port-au-Prince and Washington, D.C. January 29, 2010
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Haiti: Surveying needs outside Port-au-Prince January 28, 2010
There's been a massive outward migration from Port-au-Prince to the rural areas. I'm texting this blog entry from the countryside now, where I'm with Bill Holbrook, our country director, and Diane Johnson, our global economic development czar.
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Haiti: Sous les belles étoiles January 27, 2010
Today, I heard one of the most beautiful and most heartbreaking things of my life. It’s something I’ll always carry with me — and perhaps the one phrase I’ll attach to my time in Haiti.
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Haiti: Big band aids, big heart January 27, 2010
Amiri Horn could well be the youngest fundraiser in Mercy Corps’ history. Just three and a half, he saw the devastation in Haiti on the news and knew right away he wanted to help.
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Haiti: Comforting kids in Haiti January 27, 2010
Trying to get to Port-Au-Prince is no easy task. After being bumped and having another flight cancelled from Santo Domingo, I finally made it to ground zero, albeit a day later than planned. My concerns and trepidation about what I would encounter were validated as soon as I landed.
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Haiti: Rubble, lines and food January 27, 2010
Two weeks after the earthquake, the streets of Port-au-Prince are filled with rubble, lines and food. All of these things are related.
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Haiti: Lessons from Haiti January 26, 2010
Yesterday I left Port-au-Prince after spending a few days with the Mercy Corps team. My next stop is a world away: The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The two places couldn’t be more different, but even in Davos, Haiti is front-and-center in people’s minds.
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Haiti: Fundraiser of the day: Big-A** Sandwich Shop January 26, 2010
Editor's note: This is the first of a occasional series of short stories about inspiring and colorful donor contributions, efforts and events -- both here in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.