Amid escalating violence and political unrest in Haiti, CharityWatch reached out to several Top-Rated charities with a history of working in the region to understand what aid they are continuing to provide.
Save the Children responded to CharityWatch’s inquiry on March 13, 2024. We hope you find this information useful as you consider how best to support Haitian relief efforts during this difficult time.
Is your organization still operating in Haiti? If yes, please describe
your operations there.
"Save the Children in Haiti continues to operate in the
country with the support and collaboration of local partners working in
programs area. Based on our response strategy, we have reinforced our
presence in the country working in the provinces of the West, Sud, Grand’Anse
and recently launching operations in Nord-Est with a new field office located
in the Nord. Implementation in Port-au-Prince is mostly led by local partners
due to the complex security situation. Save the Children in Haiti is implementing
an integrated multi-sector strategy that supports the development and
improvement of children’s resilience in the most vulnerable areas of the
country, providing safe access to health, nutrition, education, water and
sanitation, and protection."
"Our current operations include the following
projects:
- Child Protection and Nutrition project: Nutrition
counseling for mothers of children under five years, screening of children to
refer, attend and prevent cases of children suffering malnutrition. Spaces for
children to play and learn in a safe area that were affected by the earthquake
in 7 communes of the country.
- Education Project: Construction of semi-permanent
learning spaces in schools that were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake,
provide school kits and kits for teachers for safe back to school in a
protective, quality environment, for children affected by the earthquake and
food insecurity in the South and Grand 'Anse departments.
- Cash for Nutrition Project: Cash assistance to families
of children suffering malnutrition or at risk of becoming malnourish, so they
are able to access food and improve nutrition of children and families.
Geographic coverage: Grande-Anse Department, communes of: Beaumont, Pestel,
Roseau, Corail.
- School Centered Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience to
Climate Change project. Geographic coverage: South Department, communes of les
Cayes, Camp-Perrin, Maniche; Grande-Anse Department, communes of Beaumont,
Pestel, Roseau, Corail.
- Humanitarian project: Delivering life-saving health and
protection services to most vulnerable and at-risk persons. Geographic
coverage: Northeast Department, commune of Ouanaminthe.
- Currently initiating a response in Port-au-Prince to
support displaced children and families affected by gang violence."
Considering the political instability that has escalated
in recent days, can you share how your organization is responding?
Specifically, are you working to evacuate your staff, contractors, or other
contacts, or are you continuing to provide aid, and in what capacity?
"The situation in Haiti, particularly in the metropolitan
area of Port-au-Prince, is becoming increasingly dire. Violence has escalated
to extreme and unprecedented levels. In recent days, the crisis in
Port-au-Prince has been fueled by escalating gang activity, resulting in
widespread violence and the displacement of families, including children. They
are facing the harshest impact of this crisis, being forced to flee their homes
in search of safety and shelter. Since February 29th, the surge in violence has
severely hindered access to basic social services, exacerbating the already
precarious daily life for many."
"Our organization is working tirelessly to find ways to
address the urgent needs of children forced to flee from their houses due to
the violence in Port-au-Prince. We aim to provide assistance to more than five
thousand families. This really represents a small portion compared to the huge
number of families in need. This is why we are calling and pressing for more
support to address the growing needs of populations. We are also
constantly assessing the situation and ready to provide immediate emergency aid,
emergency shelter, distributing food, dignity kits, non-food articles and
hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and establishing safe spaces for children
to receive support and education."
"Currently, our international staff is working remotely,
outside of Haiti. Close monitoring of the security situation is done daily, and
necessary precautions are being taken to ensure national staff safety and
security and the communities we serve. This monitoring also informs
organizational response strategy to upcoming humanitarian needs. The country
office is constantly evaluating the impacts on programs and reassessing the
needs of the population in Port-au-Prince for an adapted response."
Are you currently collecting donations specifically for
Haiti relief currently being conducted in the country? If so, can you share a
link to that specific donation page?
"This crisis has really exacerbated the humanitarian
needs, and especially for children that are lacking safe spaces, access to
education, nutrition, and health services. They are and trapped in a deep cycle
of violence. The increased numbers of internally displaced persons, 55 % of
which are children, highlight the urgent need for action. Save the Children in
Haiti is planning an initial intervention targeting one thousand Internal
Displaced People in Port-au-Prince. This represents a small portion compared to
the huge needs. Consequently, Save the Children is preparing concept notes and
proposals for submission to various donors and our members. The country office
thanks donors in advance for their support. Donation page link: here"
Can you share your imminent, future plans for conducting
charitable work in Haiti? Meaning, do you intend to evacuate your staff,
contractors, or other contacts, or do you at this time intend to continue your
work there?
"With the collaboration of our implementing local partners, we intend to
continue our work in Haiti to support the increasing needs among the
populations. Save the Children will continue to work around the clock to
support children who are trapped in a deadly cycle of violence, poverty, and
hunger. We will provide cash so families can buy food and other essentials,
delivering essential health and nutrition support, including treating children
for malnutrition, and providing nutrition counselling to caregivers. We will
continue supporting children to access water, sanitation, and hygiene
facilities, to attend schools and ensure they are protected from harm,
exploitation, and abuse."
"Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1978,
in both urban and rural communities. While we are doing all we can to try and
meet the rising needs of children and their families, we need the international
community to turn its attention to Haiti with an immediate injection of
lifesaving funding."
Is there any additional information you would like to
share?
"We urge the international community to continue
supporting efforts to address the crisis by providing financial assistance,
technical expertise, and diplomatic support. Collaboration between governments,
NGO’s and humanitarian agencies is essential to ensuring a coordinated and
effective response. Children from Haiti must not be forgotten."
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