CARE Announces Key Recommendations for Haiti's Recovery, Reconstruction and Development Needs

A woman carrying a basket of vegetables. Following a cash-for-work programme for rural farmers, CARE plans to distribute vegetable seeds to improve nutrition. (2010 Sabine Wilke/CARE)

ATLANTA (March 22, 2010) - In a series of meetings this week across the United States and Europe, CARE will outline its policy recommendations to address Haiti's recovery, reconstruction and long-term development needs following the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. These meetings come in advance of the March 31, 2010 International Donors' Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti at which donor countries, international organizations and other partners will pledge resources, coordinate support and commit to long-term efforts in Haiti.

CARE calls for a substantial and sustained commitment from the international community to support the government and people of Haiti through:

• Recognized ownership of the recovery process by the Haitian government, Haitian civil society and the Haitian Diaspora;
• Prioritization of community-level development and the needs of women and children such as addressing gender-based violence; health needs of women; women's access to land-tenure, property rights and legal identity documents; and education for Haiti's children;
• Investment in the local production of agriculture;
• Full cancellation of Haiti's remaining debt and adequate financing in the form of grants;
• Equitable and regionally balanced recovery efforts;
• And, flexibility on the timetable to spend relief funds in order to avoid rushed and inappropriate responses from donors.

"CARE is committed to Haiti for the long-term. To contribute to the reconstruction of a better Haiti, of course we must bring aid to the many survivors, but above all work with the government and Haitian civil society during the long process of reconstruction, which won't be limited to the affected zones," said Sophie Perez, CARE's country director in Haiti. "We will have to continue to address the underlying causes of poverty, in order to promote good governance and a more just and egalitarian society."

CARE has been working in Haiti since 1954. It has a five-year, $100 million plan for helping rebuild the country that focuses on women and girls and includes:

• In the short-term, CARE distributed food, PUR® water purification packets, water, jerry cans, hygiene kits, shelter kits, emergency housing repair kits, mattresses, blankets, newborn kits and clean delivery kits. To date CARE has reached nearly 300,000 people in Haiti, with many of its distributions targeted at women, who are more likely to distribute the resources to their families.
• In the medium-term (now through January 2011), CARE is strengthening health programming; providing economic opportunities, transitional shelter and school kits; and raising awareness about the prevention of gender-based violence.
• In the long-term, CARE will focus on earthquake-resistant construction, rehabilitation of water systems and reconstruction of schools and health systems.

About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is one of the world's largest humanitarian aid agencies. Working side by side with poor people in 72 countries, CARE helps empower communities to address the greatest threats to their survival. Women are at the heart of CARE's efforts to improve health, education, and economic development because experience shows that a woman's achievements yield dramatic benefits for her entire family. CARE is also committed to providing lifesaving assistance during times of crisis and helping rebuild safer, stronger communities afterward. Go to www.care.org to learn more.