What Will Happen to Haiti's Restavek Children?
Recent news reports have shed light on one of the most vulnerable groups in Haiti: children. Among children, the most vulnerable are restaveks – children who are kept as unpaid servants, often beaten, and not allowed to participate in regular family life. Before the earthquake, there were more than 200,000 restavek children in Haiti. Now, some of these children may be abandoned entirely. And more impoverished families may be forced to give children up to the restavek system.
Slavery is illegal in Haiti and technically restaveks aren't slaves – rather, they are loaned by poor, rural families to wealthier families in the city. There, they are supposed to complete daily domestic duties and receive a better education. Often, however, they work constantly, and receive no education at all.
Prior to the earthquake, the Jean Cadet Restavek Foundation, a CGI member, sponsored more than restavek childern in 14 schools and sponsored the work of three additional programs serving restavek children. Now, the foundation is tracking down children enrolled in the program. It is also providing food and limited medical care for these children, their families, and school staff – a total of over 8000 individuals.
"In many neighborhoods where the schools collapsed, our staff has literally been carrying beans and rice in backpacks to deliver resources," Restavek Foundation staff wrote to CGI. "While we're thankful for organizations like Food for the Hungry and Food for the Poor who have supplied us food, we continue to have great need for food – 1.2 tons of rice and beans daily."
The Restavek Foundation is working to restore educational programs, and it is establishing a transitional home for 30 children displaced as a result of the earthquake. "This is a major endeavor," foundation staff wrote to CGI. "We need to furnish this home, develop a program that will allow traumatized children to heal and grow, and hire staff who can help transition the children to long-term stability.
"Our founder Jean Robert Cadet has been on the ground since the quake. He spends his days checking in on restavek children – sadly, he has witnessed some disturbing situations. In some cases, he's been able to directly intervene; in others, we've been able to alert other organizations who are also working on behalf of restavek children. We are very thankful for collaboration in Haiti, for there is much to be done!"
To learn more, read about the Restavek Foundation in Newsweek or listen on NPR.
CGI Members Working to Bring Solar-Powered Light to Haiti
Lack of electricity was one of the major challenges faced by victims, medical providers, and relief groups after the earthquake that devastated Haiti earlier this month. As Partners in Health reported, many doctors had to perform surgery by the light of a flashlight. Now, some CGI members are using this opportunity to help Haiti build back better – by providing solar powered light.
Many of these efforts began well before the earthquake. At CGI's 2009 Annual Meeting, Mark Bent of SunNight Solar committed to raise money to donate 500,000 solar-powered BoGo Lights to Haiti. As of last year, he noted, 85 percent of Haitians lacked regular access to electricity. The problem has been compounded by the earthquake, of course, and Bent is now stepping up his efforts to raise funds for the Light Haiti Project.
Partners in Health, which provides medical services in Haiti, has also been working to enhance solar power. PIH has been working with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) since 2006, and last year SELF installed a solar panel system on the roof of one of the public hospitals where PIH operates. Ultimately, the two organizations hope to provide similar solar power systems to nine other hospitals in Haiti.
"The response from citizens of the United States to the recent events in Haiti has been overwhelming and encouraging," Dr. Farmer said at a Senate hearing. "There is the promise of solidarity by our leadership to make long-term commitments to the kinds of investments needed in Haiti—and to fulfilling them."
Collaborations Key To Providing Effective Aid
Less than a week after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, dozens of CGI members had mobilized to help – providing medical care, distributing food and water, raising money, and making plans for the country's long-term re-development.
To effectively deliver aid, organizations have had to capitalize on old partnerships and form new ones. Inveneo and NetHope are partnering to set up at network that will restore communications to many of the NGOs who operate in Haiti. Together, Inveno and NetHope have devised a plan that will support Internet access in and out of the country, carry voice communications until the cellular networks are repaired, and allow for collaboration and sharing of resources among NGOs.
Traveling to Haiti from the United States with 1,500 pounds of computer and networking equipment did not prove easy, however, especially with equipment locked up in storage two days before departure. With the help of two other CGI members, the UPS Foundation and AidMatrix, Inveneo was able to retrieve and assemble its equipment before departing for the long trip from San Francisco.
Meanwhile, many other CGI members are working with partners to deliver aid. Procter & Gamble is working with AmeriCares, World Vision, CARE, PSI, Global Medic, Samaritan's Purse, and PUR Compassion Ministries to donate packets of PUR Purifier of Water to those in need. P&G recently announced that it would double its commitment to six million packets -- enough to purify 60 million liters of water.
For Haitian Children, Play is One of the Best Medicines
Although Port-au-Prince has gotten much of the press coverage, areas outside of the capital city have also been devastated. Plan -- the global umbrella organization of Plan USA, a CGI member -- has been focusing in part on the town of Jacmel, a coastal city located about the same distance from the earthquake's epicenter as Port-au-Prince. Now, the organization reports that hope has begun to arrive. Two coast guard boats from the Dominican Republic brought Plan's shipment of 4,000 tents, bottled water, food, and essential supplies. More boats are on their way.
But one of the best medicines, it turns out, has been play. One of Plan's specialties is providing psychosocial support to children. "I was skeptical about 'chatting' in the face of such carnage," Stuart Coles, Plan's global senior press and publicity officer, wrote in an online update. "There seemed more pressing needs. An hour later, I think this is the best medicine I have yet witnessed." He described the scene:
"The children split into age groups and make circles. They are led through games and activities. Slowly, scowls become smiles, become grins, become laughs and before long they are the center of increasing curiosity. More and more children approach as the noise increases and the session ends with the organizers letting the children jump and bellow their hearts out."
Plan had seven field offices and 143 staff on the ground before the earthquake, and all but one have been reported safe (sadly, one is still missing). More staff members, including disaster management experts, have been sent from Plan's offices in the Dominican Republic, Panama, and the United Kingdom, with Plan Dominican Republic coordinating activities and acting as a logistics hub.
For the first 90 days, the organization will be focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene; temporary shelter; food; medical supplies; and child protection. Plan is setting up child-friendly safe spaces that will transition into early childhood care and development centers, and for older children, temporary school structures. In the long term, it will expand its focus to repairing water systems, rebuilding shelter, providing protection and psychosocial support to children, and potentially rebuilding and equipping schools and hospitals. For more information and updates, visit the Plan USA website.
Please stay tuned for more updates on CGI members' work in Haiti.
Healthy Baby Girl, Celinda, Born Amidst Devastation
Susan Finucane, a program officer with Concern Worldwide US, sent a powerful update from Port-au-Prince. Despite the destruction, she found a ray of light at a Salvation Army health center that had been turned into a makeshift camp for homeless Haitians. Susan reports:
"While we are there talking to people and assessing their most urgent survival needs, I meet Lenor, a young 26-year-old woman who gave birth to a baby girl only yesterday. Her new baby, Celinda, was miraculously born healthy. Says Lenor: 'I live in Saint Martin. … Or, I lived in Saint Martin. My house is gone, so I have been here (in the camp) since Tuesday night. I was so worried for my baby, but she is fine.'
I ask Lenor if I can take a picture of her new child, a miracle amidst all this heartache. As my camera appears, children flock around, asking me if I will take their picture. Their smiles are like rays of sunshine in this makeshift camp, and I am aware, once again, of how resilient the Haitian people are.'"
The majority of Concern's 100 staff members in Haiti were reported safe, and supplemental teams have been dispatched from its New York office. "They will remain in Haiti for as long as it takes to ensure the immediate survival needs are being met in the communities in which we work," Siobhán Walsh, executive director of Concern Worldwide US, wrote to CGI. Food, water, shelter and medicine are the immediate priorities, and Concern has launched a public emergency appeal for $7.5 million to support its efforts. "Once immediate survival needs are met, we will turn our attention – in the very near future – to the enormous recovery efforts that lie before us in Haiti," she added.
What can you do to help?
In his role as UN Special Envoy for Haiti, President Clinton has been monitoring the situation closely and doing everything he can to help. Until we are able to provide basic medical attention, food, and water, the best way for you to help is by funding the organizations on the front lines of this effort. If you would like to contribute to relief efforts, please visit the Clinton Foundation's information page to learn more. You can also text “QUAKE” to 20222 and $10 will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
CGI Members Engaged In Disaster Relief
Dozens of CGI members are working on the ground in Haiti. If you are a CGI member and would like to be included on this list, please contact your account manager, or email CGI's communications department.
Abbott Fund: Abbott and its philanthropic foundation the Abbott Fund have committed to provide $1 million in initial humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake in Haiti.
Aidmatrix: Aidmatrix has created an online portal to collect and distribute in-kind donations from around the world to NGOs on the ground in Haiti. NGOs include CARE, Project Hope, World Vision, International Federation of Red Cross, Meds and Food for Kids, MedShare, Food for the Poor, Save the Children, and more.
American Jewish World Service: AJWS has created the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to support its network of grantees as they address the urgent needs of the affected population.
AmeriCares Foundation: AmeriCares has pledged $15 million in aid and disaster relief experts are on the ground preparing for the arrival of AmeriCares first emergency airlift into Haiti. A second airlift is planned in the coming days.
Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG): AIDG is mobilizing partners to begin manufacturing cooking equipment for displaced populations.
Architecture for Humanity: Architecture for Humanity is making plans for long-term reconstruction, and in the meantime is looking into the provision of temporary shelter.
Becton, Dickinson & Co.: BD established a $1.2 million fund for relief efforts. Of the $1.2 million, $250,000 will be split equally between the American Red Cross and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. BD will distribute the remainder to AmeriCares, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Direct Relief International, Heart to Heart International, Partners in Health, Project HOPE and Save the Children.
Boston University: BU is holding a special Public Health Forum to discuss the unfolding disaster in the aftermath of the recent massive earthquake in Haiti.
BRAC: BRAC USA is mobilizing resources to support the relief and rehabilitation efforts working with its two partners in Haiti, Fonkoze and Zanmi Lasante.
CARE: Procter & Gamble is working with World Vision, CARE, Samaritan's Purse, and PUR Compassion Ministries to donate 3 million packets of PUR Purifier of Water, as well as diapers, soap, feminine hygiene products, batteries, and other needed products.
CHF International: CHF has been working with USAID on infrastructure and construction projects since 2006, with approximately 170 staff in Haiti. They are currently sending an emergency response team to assess the immediate and longer term needs for the country. CHF has expertise in providing transitional shelters in disaster areas during reconstruction efforts.
Concern Worldwide: Search and rescue efforts, food, water, shelter and medicine are the immediate priorities for Concern Worldwide, which had 100 staff members on the ground in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. The organization has launched a public emergency appeal for $7.5 million to support its efforts, working specifically in Satin Martin, Martissant, and Saut d'Eau.
Digicel Group: Digicel Group is donating $5 million to nongovernmental organizations working on relief efforts. They have provided their network with 4346, a free SMS code for sending immediate updates on emergencies to the Ushahidi crisis mapping network.
Direct Relief International: Direct Relief International is airlifting $2 million in aid via FedEx this week, in addition to two shipping containers of medical material aid previously sent to Port-au-Prince. Aid is being distributed to Partners in Health and St. Damien Children's Hospital, among others. Direct Relief's partners have reported that their facilities have sustained damage but are operational.
EarthSpark International: EarthSpark is working closely with Good Energies to raise funds to purchase solar lights and mobile phone chargers.
EKTA Foundation: Inveneo and NetHope are partnering to provide Internet connectivity to relief agencies working on the ground in Haiti. The EKTA Foundation is providing $25,000 in funding for the effort.
The Freeplay Foundation is working to provide wind-up and solar-powered radios and lights to the Haitian people.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity is sending an assessment team to Port-au-Prince to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine a course of action for providing shelter and low-cost housing options.
International Action: Since the earthquake, International Action has been able to provide the coordinates of existing water tanks and sources to USAID Office of Military Affairs, who has used this information to check on the tanks and to coordinate logistics around safe drinking water. Its fiberglass factory is mostly intact; however, 50 out of 71 chlorinators are irreparable.
The International Medical Corps: The International Medical Corps' emergency medical team is working at the hospital De'l Universite d'etat d'Haiti, where hundreds of patients are waiting for medical care. The Corps is also working out of its hotel, the Villa Creole, which has been turned into a make-shift clinic.
Internews: Internews is working with local Haitian media and humanitarian aid agencies to get critical information directly to the people who need it most. The Internews team in Haiti produces and distributes a daily Creole-language humanitarian news broadcast, Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (News You Can Use). The broadcast is currently airing on 25 local radio stations. In addition, Internews has distributed nearly 9,000 wind-up radios provided by the U.S. Military through 19 local radio station partners and is working with UNOCHA, key aid agencies, such as the Red Cross and Save the Children, and other media assistance providers.
Inveneo: Inveneo and NetHope are partnering to provide Internet connectivity to relief agencies working on the ground in Haiti. The EKTA Foundation is providing $25,000 in funding for the effort.
NetHope: Inveneo and NetHope are partnering to provide Internet connectivity to relief agencies working on the ground in Haiti. The EKTA Foundation is providing $25,000 in funding for the effort.
OneXOne Foundation: OneXOne is raising money and working to gather needed supplies.
Oxfam America: Oxfam has set up multiple distribution sites around Port-au-Prince to deliver clean drinking water. In addition, Oxfam is shipping 10 tons of water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter materials to Haiti via the Dominican Republic and Panama.
Partners in Health: Partners in Health has set up mobile clinics in Delmas and elsewhere, and its complex in Cange has 104 beds and full hospital facilities operational. They are receiving patients and performing surgeries in Hinche. They have staff standing by at Belladare, on the DR border, to help deliveries to get through customs and into Haiti.
Philips Healthcare Philips Healthcare is donating nearly $1 million of medical equipment and supplies to be used by a team of Caritas Christi clinicians headed to Sacre Coeur Hospital, in Milot, Haiti, north of Port-au-Prince. They are also planning to provide solar powered lanterns, Avent Baby Bottles, pacifiers, and portable ultrasound units.
Plan USA: For the first 90 days, Plan will be focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene; temporary shelter; food; medical supplies; and child protection. In the long term, it will expand its focus to repairing water systems, rebuilding shelter, providing protection and psychosocial support to children, and potentially rebuilding and equipping schools and hospitals.
Population Services International: PSI, a non-emergency health services organization working in Haiti for over 20 years, has a working operation in the Dominican Republic and a support team there. Most members of the PSI Haiti team have been located, and they are conducting an initial assessment. Its office is intact in Port-au-Prince and it has a large warehouse housing health products.
Procter & Gamble: Procter & Gamble is working with World Vision, CARE, Samaritan's Purse, and PUR Compassion Ministries to donate 3 million packets of PUR Purifier of Water, as well as diapers, soap, feminine hygiene products, batteries, and other needed products.
Samaritan's Purse: Procter & Gamble is working with World Vision, CARE, Samaritan's Purse, and PUR Compassion Ministries to donate 3 million packets of PUR Purifier of Water, as well as diapers, soap, feminine hygiene products, batteries, and other needed products.
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market: The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market has established an Artist Relief Fund to provide needed support for Haitian artists or others Market artists who face other unforeseen crises or special circumstances of need. Serge Jolimeau and Michee Ramil Remy, the two Haitian artists who created the 2009 Clinton Global Citizen Award have been reported safe.
Save the Children: Save the Children is distributing basic items, such as hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets, and water cans. It also plans to open child-friendly spaces in large camps of displaced families, so children can take part in structured, supportive activities. It is also running a child tracking program to connect children and parents. This could become one of the largest Save the Children relief efforts in the western Hemisphere.
Soul of Haiti: The Irish nonprofit Soul of Haiti is supporting emergency response efforts, and beginning to think about long-term recovery as well.
Standard Chartered donated $50,000 to Water.org for its work in Haiti.
SunNight Solar Enterprises: SunNight is seeking funding for the Light Haiti 2009 CGI commitment, which has connected with IRD to distribute their Houston-based stock as a response to the earthquake. SunNight Solar is prepared to open a permanent manufacturing facility in Haiti for solar lights, and then expanding to additional solar consumer products they have developed. SunNight is working with an engineer at its Chinese manufacturing facility to integrate mobile phone charging capability.
TOMS Shoes: Since the earthquake, TOMS has been raising funds for Partners in Health and has scheduled 30,000 pairs of shoes for delivery to Haiti to aid in reconstruction efforts, beginning February.
UNICEF: Late last week, two cargo planes flew from UNICEF's regional supply hub in Panama to Port-au-Prince carrying water and sanitation supplies, medical aid, shelter materials and other needed items for children and families at risk. A third plane landed in Santo Domingo with 40 metric tons of additional aid bound for Haiti. As the lead UN agency for water and sanitation in the quake zone, UNICEF is working to provide survivors with family water kits, water-purification tablets, and other supplies aimed at mitigating the deadly effects of contaminated water. Aside from delivering these supplies, UNICEF is trying to promote hygiene by providing soap and issuing messages in French and Creole on preventing and treating diarrhoea, cholera and dysentery.
United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic: The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic, a CGI U member, is collecting donations of food and medicine.
United Nations World Food Programme: The United Nations World Food Program is currently distributing high energy biscuits, jerry cans, and water purification tablets to approximately 13,000 people in different neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince including Champsmar, Delmas 33, Hospital de la Paix, and Villa Creole. Operations are being coordinated with other UN agencies at the MINUSTAH base near the airport.
United Parcel Service: United Parcel Service, Inc. has donated $1 million through its charitable arm, The UPS Foundation. The funds, to be split evenly between cash and in-kind services, will be divided between the American Red Cross, CARE, UNICEF, and other organizations.
Western Union: Western Union is donating $250,000, matching all employee donations, and offering no-fee money transfers to Haiti. So far, its fundraising programs have raised more than $1,266,000 for disaster relief.
World Vision: Procter & Gamble is working with World Vision, CARE, Samaritan's Purse, and PUR Compassion Ministries to donate 3 million packets of PUR Purifier of Water, as well as diapers, soap, feminine hygiene products, batteries, and other needed products.
