6 Months After

World Concern Responds

The Next Stage: Rebuilding

Six months after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, life is slowly resuming for families in Haiti, but it is a new post-earthquake life of rebuilding communities and coming to terms with a new “normal.” The new normal includes some being able to return to homes that have been repaired. For others, it means having to find a new home - often with a relative or neighbor. World Concern supports the survivors to ensure they have their basic needs met, and have a chance to rebuild their lives after they’ve lost everything.

In the initial phase of the earthquake, World Concern helped more than 100,000 people, delivering food, water, tarps or other goods or services. The initial phase was to preserve life, and lasted for about two months.

Now, six months out, we are helping families rebuild their lives in a deeper way, focusing on longer-term needs. We’re supporting people in several ways, including with jobs, food, health and housing. Housing is critical as the temporary camps and tarps will not withstand the fall rains. We've already repaired more than 500 homes. In the next few months, our goal is to build or repair more than 2,000 homes and give a hand to thousands of people who must begin life again. We need you to help us meet the ongoing need!


Haiti Earthquake Update: Six Months Later

As of July 7, World Concern has expanded our efforts into the Fort National neighborhood, after spending months repairing homes and helping business owners restart their businesses in the Delmas region. We now employ 2,100 people in this effort.

In the last several months, World Concern has repaired more than 500 homes and delivered the same number of kit homes, which will replace homes too damaged to repair. We've given out 720 cash grants to merchants to restart their businesses, and provided 580 livelihood grants to replace damaged or lost equipment.

Haiti is now in its rainy season. Most large storms do not come until fall, but the camps where many are living are becoming muddy messes.

Rosena Pierre's House One of those who World Concern has helped is named Rosena Pierre. When the quake hit, she was in her house. She ran out as a wall inside collapsed, along with the roof. Her family lost a bed and a table, but escaped with their lives. She is pictured here with her sisters and her cousins, and says, “Thank you.” We replaced the fallen wall and built a new roof.

Neighborhood committees choose who receives new homes or home repairs first. World Concern guides the process, providing oversight, supplies and expertise. We’re maintaining our focus on those most vulnerable.

World Concern continues to support children and families who were involved in our programs in Haiti before the earthquake, including providing emergency supplies, medications for people living with AIDS, and children being able to return to school. We are committed to providing continued support to the people of Haiti through the entire recovery and rebuilding process as the country continues to heal from this devastating disaster.

Help Haiti Rebuild Homes & Lives

KOMO 4 News Broadcast: Haiti Relief

Ways To Help

Kids' Healing Kits

Healing KitFood, water, shelter – the basics of life. That’s what World Concern is delivering to those who need it most right now in Haiti. Beyond the initial disaster, though, is another important need: healing from emotional trauma.

You can provide relief to children in Haiti by building a “Kids’ Healing Kit” – a way for boys and girls to find some relief from their pain. Learn more.


Past Earthquake Updates & Press Releases

Read the Story of Georges: A Highlight of Hope

Haiti Earthquake Update: April 30th, 10:00 am

Haiti Earthquake Update: April 2nd, 11:00 am

Haiti Earthquake Update: Feb. 10, 9:44 am

Haiti Earthquake Update: Jan. 12, 2010 5 p.m.

View previous updates.


Stay Up to Date!

Connect with us on our blog. Follow us on Twitter. Become a friend with us on Facebook. View our videos from the field on You Tube. Look at Pictures from Haiti on Flickr.

World Concern's History In Haiti

World Concern has worked in Haiti for 31 years, serving the poorest through both disasters and long-term development. Our staff of 100+ will walk with the victims as long as it takes—supplying their immediate needs, then equipping them with tools to earn an income again and live better lives.

Why this is important

Poorest country in the Western hemisphere

  • Waterborne infection is common in Haiti, where the clean water supply tends to be unreliable even in better times
  • The earthquake has broken water and sewage pipes, leading to water contamination
  • A 7.0 magnitude earthquake causes serious damage over large areas. Damage in Port Au Prince is severe because of massive building collapses
  • Unless people have clean water to drink, infection will increase greatly
  • One in 50 people in Haiti has HIV or AIDS, compared with a little over one in 200 in the US
  • About 53 percent of Haiti’s population is literate
  • In Haiti, 80 percent of the population lives under the poverty line

Facts courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

How we provide it

We've served 100,000 people since the quake

  • Providing earthquake relief 100,000 people, with food, water and basic supplies including tarps and blankets
  • Mapping out long-term recovery after the earthquake, including assistance with safe rebuilding, jobs and education
  • Extended microcredit to over 1,400 poor women
  • Assisted with school tuition for 1,000 youth through an innovative program teaching animal husbandry
  • Supported about 10,400 orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS
  • Provided AIDS prevention training and support to over 80,000 people
  • Distributed food during for food shortages, and trained farmers to increase output
  • Responded to many disasters in Haiti, including individual support for about 14,000 victims of Hurricane Hanna

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World Concern history

Our world-wide focus on building communities began when two men pondered what to do with some extra medicine.