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: Christmas trees, glitter and giggles December 3, 2011
In a small classroom on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, 16 children are hard at work on today's art therapy project: create and decorate paper Christmas trees!
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Haiti: Insuring women-owned businesses against natural disaster December 1, 2011
I have been in Haiti for a mere 36 hours and have already waded through a river, trekked through rice fields, climbed mountains and stumbled upon a buzzing open market in a remote village in the Central Plateau.
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Haiti: 'Soccer for Life' kicks off on World AIDS Day November 30, 2011
December 1st is World AIDS Day. This year, Mercy Corps and Partners In Health are joining forces in Haiti to launch Foutbol pou Lavi — Football for Life — a programme designed to harness the power of football to stop the spread of HIV.
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Haiti: Art therapy camp for Port-au-Prince youth October 1, 2011
This past August, we took 20 school-age children to a mountainside retreat outside Port-au-Prince for six days of activities designed to heal emotional wounds from the 2010 earthquake.
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Haiti: Peace Day in Mirebalais September 26, 2011
On September 21, Mercy Corps and Partners In Health teamed up to celebrate International Peace Day in Mirebalais, Haiti.
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Haiti: A step forward for some, a step back for others September 12, 2011
This was my fifth trip to Haiti.
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Haiti: Tatie’s Home, a bakery in Port-au-Prince August 24, 2011
Tatie grew up in a family of seven children, and wanted to own her own business since she was a little girl. While just a young student, Tatie's mother passed away and Tatie began raising her younger brother and god-daughter.
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Haiti: Mobile banking customer in Saint-Marc, Haiti August 5, 2011
One of the storeowners in Saint-Marc, Haiti, supported by Mercy Corps' Mobile Money programme.
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Haiti: Mobile wallets help Haitians rebuild August 3, 2011
Families needed food. Small vendors and local economies needed cash. And it turns out the solution to this Catch-22 was right in the hands — or the pockets — of most Haitians.
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Haiti: After the earthquake, focusing on rural areas June 22, 2011
The earthquake of January 12, 2010, may prove to be a crossroad for Haiti. The people of this poor but proud country are certainly ready for the tide to turn in their favour.