Haiti earthquake: 2 months later
Photo courtesy of Plan staff.
Over two months have passed since the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12th, and Plan continues to aid in the emergency response.
Working together with the Government of Haiti and other humanitarian organizations, significant progress has been made - particularly in the areas of food, water and health. As the rainy season approaches, Plan continues to focus on shelter and sanitation needs, supplying emergency tents, mobile latrines and hand-washing stations to affected areas.
Education and child protection also remain top priorities, and we continue to work toward the tentative school reopening date of April 5th (delayed from the original date of April 1st).
Plan continues to establish child-friendly spaces to provide protection and psychosocial support to affected children, with special attention paid to separated, unaccompanied and disabled children. Food-for-work and cash-for-work activities also continue to be implemented successfully and will be essential to support affected populations in the coming months.
Moving forward with a new program strategy
On March 12th, a Program Strategy for the Haiti Earthquake Relief and Recovery was finalized. Moving forward with recovery and rehabilitation efforts, Plan will focus on the following program objectives:
- Meeting the immediate survival needs of the affected population and contributing to the planning of medium and long term recovery.
- Re-establishing education and early childhood care and development services for affected children and contributing to the restructuring of the school system.
- Strengthening the capacities of families, communities and authorities to protect children and adolescents against all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence, including gender-based violence.
- Contributing to the physical and mental health, well being and resilience of children, adolescents, youth and caregivers affected by the earthquake
- Strengthening family economic security so that parents and caregivers are more able to guarantee the well-being and care of their children.
- Assisting children and adults to cope with loss and bereavement build resilience and create child-friendly environments.
- Ensuring that Disaster Risk Reduction is mainstreamed into all relief and recovery activities, in collaboration with children and communities.
For each objective, Plan will focus on working with the most vulnerable communities. Plan will work to ensure the inclusion of the most vulnerable children and youth, with particular emphasis on those living in especially difficult circumstances.
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