Haiti: patience, perseverance and endurance

Caritas Luxembourg has worked alongside Haitians for more than 20 years through development cooperation projects and emergency aid, as the country is regularly affected by disasters. These include Hurricane Jeanne, which struck in 2004, four successive hurricanes occurred in 2008 causing a famine affecting nearly 60% of the population, one of the most devastating earthquakes in the country’s history occurred in 2010, followed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

After the earthquake 10 years ago, Caritas Luxembourg supported emergency projects in several affected areas (Gressier, Léogâne), as well as projects for displaced people in Gonaïves. After this first emergency phase, Caritas Luxembourg undertook an initial reconstruction project of 100 houses in Gressier with Caritas Switzerland and a local partner, ITECA. Subsequently, two new phases of house reconstruction were carried out in Cabaret. In addition to the reconstruction of the houses, the projects also included awareness campaigns on cholera and hygiene. Finally, a project to rebuild 5 schools was also carried out.

In 2014, an analysis commissioned by Caritas Luxembourg among local NGOs, showed that there was a huge need in the field of community health and support to migrants, needs that were only very partially covered by other NGOs. Therefore, with strong experience in these two fields, Caritas Luxembourg decided to boost its activities in these two areas.

Today, Caritas Luxembourg supports a health centre in a remote and inaccessible area in the South of Haiti. Patients receive general and dental care and benefit from the presence of a pharmacy. Doctors provide prenatal care for pregnant women. At the same time, medical staff regularly organise mobile clinics to vaccinate children, but also to intervene in schools and raise awareness among students and teaching staff on hygiene practices to prevent diseases. Awareness-raising activities are also organised near water sources and chlorine is distributed to families.

Caritas Luxembourg also supports Haitians, who have been repatriated from the Dominican Republic after having emigrated there illegally in search of work, as well as those who work in the cross-border regions and who host them on their return. Most of these people work and live in very precarious conditions. Many are expelled and return to Haiti without any resources or perspectives. The programme supported by Caritas Luxembourg aims to improve the living conditions of these repatriated migrant workers and cross-border workers by promoting the right to decent work. The returnees are assisted and helped to return to their families. Communities are informed and sensitised on the decent work conditions and participate in the advocacy processes with local and central authorities for the respect of these rights. The creation of social enterprises is encouraged. Beneficiaries receive training and financial support to carry out income-generating activities.

Finally, a third project of Caritas Luxembourg in Haiti aims to increase reforestation in order to reduce erosion and prevent landslides. The population is being taught new farming techniques that respect environmental protection standards and the construction of ramps that favour the infiltration of rainwater and prevent run-off. Agronomists monitor the project, distribute new, more resistant varieties of fruit and vegetables and advise farmers on their activities.