Now seven months after the earthquake, much of Haiti is improved. Signs of construction can be seen everywhere, but even so, there is much work to be done. The disaster displaced 2 million people. It takes more than a few months to build homes for this many people. For our part, World Concern has repaired or rebuilt more than 600 homes, and our Cash for Work crews are continuing that work at the rate of about 80 homes per week.We're committed to continuing serving in Haiti for as long as it takes to rebuild this country.
Read more about Why We Won't Give Up On Haiti here.
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.
We’re also supporting people in other ways, including providing cash grants to hundreds of business owners to replace equipment or entire businesses that were damaged or destoryed in the earthquake. Getting people back to work helps the local economy recover.
Slowly, life is returning to normal for some families in Haiti, but thousands of others need help. We need you to help us meet the ongoing need!
As of July, World Concern 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 2,000 people in this effort.
In the last several months, World Concern has repaired more than 600 homes and begun constructing 500 kit homes, which will replace homes too damaged to repair. We've given out more than 800 cash grants to merchants to restart their businesses, and provided 735 livelihood grants totalling nearly a quarter million dollars to replace damaged or lost equipment.
The camps where many are living have become muddy messes and tents and tarps are reduced to shreds. People living in the camps need to find alternate temporary, or better yet, permanent shelter, especially as fall approaches and stronger storms could follow.
World Concern hires local workers to repair and build homes, providing an income to the workers as well as speeding up the process of getting families back home.
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.
Food, 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.
Container filled with school desks and supplies ships to Haiti
Haiti supporters visit World Concern in Port-au-Prince
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.
