A Pressing Need for Plan's Work in Haiti

Plan's long term commitment to the people of Haiti was represented at the recent international donors' conference for the reconstruction of Haiti by InterAction, a coalition of nongovernmental organization (NGO) members working to promote human dignity and development in countries around the world. NGO's have collectively pledged $918 million toward relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti, a number that surpassed many of the donations pledged by nation-states.

Plan International (USA), based in Warwick, Rhode Island and Washington, DC—a 73-year-old organization and longstanding member of InterAction—has raised approximately $2M USD through its own appeals to US donors. Internationally, Plan has raised over $40M through its global offices. Plan's particular emphasis is on child-centered initiatives that promote the healthy growth and development of entire communities.

The funding pledged by US charities shows the “significant level of support from the American people towards the plight of Haitian citizens and a belief in the effectiveness of relief and humanitarian NGOs,” said Samuel A. Worthington, President and CEO of InterAction, and former President/CEO of Plan International (USA). InterAction’s member organizations “are committed to investing a tremendous amount of financial and human resources in Haiti, and should be recognized as key partners in the reconstruction effort,” he added.

Plan has been working in Haiti for over 36 years, placing a particular emphasis on health and education initiatives for some 42,000 children and their families in 92 communities throughout Haiti. After the quake, Plan’s local staff of 140—all of whom had been severely impacted by the quake themselves—quickly mobilized to provide for the immediate needs of the affected populations; while also strategizing for the long term in areas of health, education, protection, participation, shelter, job creation, and disaster risk reduction.

Plan, with the support of UNICEF, also recently initiated and coordinated a massive consultation process of some 1000 children throughout Haiti, asking them to formally prioritize their hopes and dreams for Haiti’s future. Overwhelmingly, the children and youths, ages 5 to 24, identified free, quality education as their top priority for their own and Haiti’s future. The results of the consultation were shared at an event entitled, “A Haiti Fit for Children,” at UNICEF's New York headquarters. Plan, along with five international aid organizations, urged leaders to not only hear the voices of children and youths, but to allow them to actively participate in the reconstruction of a better Haiti.

“At Plan we believe that paying attention to the voices of young people in the reconstruction process is not only the right thing to do, but that it is exactly the key ingredient that can lead to better and more sustainable outcomes, which is what Haiti needs now more than ever,” said Audrey Bracey Deegan, Plan’s Interim President/CEO. She added, “Since the earthquake, Plan has been working in coordination with other NGOs and the Haitian government, especially in the arena of education, to ensure that the blueprint for Haiti of tomorrow responds to the pressing needs and concerns of Haiti’s future leaders.”