Haiti: emergency support and support in the long run
Press Release 5 February 2010
Haïti
- “Yon vwa pou pep la” (One Voice for the People): the ATD Fourth World contribution in preparation for the International Conference of Donors for a New Future in Haiti.
- In the midst of difficulty, sharing knowledge is a time for joy, meeting others, and getting involved
- One month after the earthquake: Families in extreme poverty struggle against injustice, but their efforts backfire
- "They have to have a voice in their future, in the future of Haiti"
Eugen Brand, Director General of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, is currently in Haiti with five other members of ATD Fourth World who traveled there earlier this week to join the team in their work there:
* accompanying families in their efforts to be taken into account and to be able to participate in what is being put into place; * dealing with the urgent need for health care; * contributing to the building, clearing and reconstruction work; * co-operating with Haitian and international partners who have the same concern of leaving no-one behind. Although they are grieving, the Haitians are leading the reconstruction work.
The six members of the group have a wealth of experience of working with very poor families. Among the group there is a doctor, an electrician, and community workers. Some have already spent several years living in Haiti. This first group has travelled to Haiti for two months, after which another group will follow, in a chain of solidarity that aims to continue ATD Fourth World’s longstanding commitment to Haiti.
The group transported materials, medicine, tools, tents, mattresses, a satellite telephone and a solar generator. The team is relaunching its children’s work, based on sharing knowledge. They have also requested story and picture books, paintings and games for the small children.
Their needs are increasing and will become clearer as the weeks and the years go by. It is important to continue to encourage people’s solidarity and raise funds to enable work now and in the long run. The work to be done using this fund will be decided by the members of the ATD Fourth World Team in Haiti, including families living in extreme poverty, along with partners from other organisations and government and international partners.
The whole world is showing its solidarity. The leader of our team in Haiti said, “This is what the United Nations are about.” In Africa, in North and South America, in the Indian Ocean, in Asia and in Europe, many people have found ways to support this chain of solidarity, both in the short term and in the long term.
As a volunteer in Haiti said, “The only force we need to continue to strengthen is the solidarity which is guiding the country.” To do that now and in the years to come, we need financial support from everyone.
To make an online donation in US dollars, please go to:
https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=237135119
To make an online donation in euros, please go to:
http://www.atd-fourthworld.org/Inline-Donation.html
To make an online donation in £ (pound sterling), please go to :
http://www.everyclick.com/atd-haiti
For more information: www.atd-fourthworld.org
