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 organise for improved production
- Environment: Promoting sustainable land use practices and establishing alternative fuel sources that provide jobs
- Children & Youth: Using football to teach leadership, gender awareness, conflict resolution skills and HIV/AIDS prevention education
All stories about Haiti
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Haiti: How we’ll help transform Haiti February 25, 2010
In the late afternoon of January 12, 2010, Haiti had a heart attack when an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince — the country’s political, cultural and financial capital.
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Haiti: Protecting survivors from the rain February 25, 2010
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Haiti: Pay day February 22, 2010
Last Friday was pay day. After putting in five days of work clearing debris and repairing basic infrastructure, 119 participants in Mercy Corps’ cash-for-work programme here in Port-au-Prince patiently lined up at Impasse Dorcé and waited their turn to get paid.
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Haiti: Video: Plastic sheeting distribution in Haiti February 20, 2010
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Haiti: Video: Helping Haiti's children laugh, play and sing again February 19, 2010
Today I visited a daycare where Mercy Corps' Comfort for Kids programme is helping dozens of young earthquake survivors to celebrate their lives and friends again. Here's a video I took that shows just how amazing the spirit of these games and this music really is.
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Haiti: Back to normal, sort of February 19, 2010
Here in Portland, it's sunny and warm for February. Camellias are in bloom, and lots of little flowers and bushes are budding out with new leaves.
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Haiti: The Haitian Mr. Bean February 18, 2010
This is Joseph Moїse. He’s 34 years old and a native of Pétionville. Before the earthquake he was a teacher and now he’s a cash-for-work participant with Mercy Corps — but what he really wants to do is direct.
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Haiti: Video: Cleaning up Petionville, Haiti February 17, 2010
Here's a video from my visit to one of Mercy Corps' cash-for-work sites today.
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Haiti: Their teacher went to Haiti…and now they want to help February 17, 2010
Sara Logue was a high school student when she visited Haiti in 2003. Now a fifth grade teacher at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School in Forest Grove, Oregon, she’s making sure her students are connected with the world beyond the walls of the school.
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Haiti: Portlanders: Combine your love for soccer and Haiti tonight February 17, 2010
If you're a football fan in Portland and want to help Haiti rebuild at the same time, this post is for you! Tonight, the Portland Timbers face off against the University of Portland men's football team on the University's Merlo Field at 7 p.m.