How can I effectively help Haiti’s recovery efforts from the recent earthquake?

The southwest of Haiti is suffering the worst of the damage from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit on 14^th August 2021. While often overlooked, Haitian  grassroots groups are the true first responders, and will be essential in the region’s long term rebuilding and recovery efforts.

FOKAL knows this area first-hand. In the aftermath of the 2016 Hurricane Matthew destruction, FOKAL was successful in managing emergency funds that were immediately directed to the historically marginalized, yet resilient, grassroots network in the southwest. This network is already mobilized in the wake of the 2021 earthquake and can be trusted to activate the best immediate response and augment recovery efforts.

These communities have created a robust system of grassroots organizations built on Haiti’s traditional models of community, mutual aid, and cooperation. They are a network of smallholder farmers, cocoa growers, dairy farmers and women who run micro agro businesses, all of which are crucial in the region’s food production.  

Why FOKAL?

• Rapid Response Expertise– FOKAL’s successful collaborative recovery work with its grassroots partners in 2016, positions them to effectively spring into action immediately.
• FOKAL is a 26-year-old Haitian not-for-profit organization, created and led by Haitians, with an impeccable track record for multi-funder management of grassroots organizations. American supporters can contribute tax-deductible donations directly to FOKAL’s US charity, AYITI DEMEN, a (501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN 20-8967664) registered in New York. These critical donations are transferred to FOKAL and directed to our grassroots partners.
• Endorsed and supported by the Open Society Foundation, FOKAL is a member of the international network of Open Society Foundations.

POST DISASTER PROGRAM:

1) First phase: Provide immediate support to 20+ grassroots organizations (approximately 7000 families) and small enterprises  through cash transfers to help their members with immediate needs, including building shelter  and planting  fast growing crops).

2) Second phase: Provide additional assistance to grassroots organizations and small businesses so they can  move towards  regaining full production capacity, while at the same time implementing community resources such as water treatment programs to  avoid resurgence of cholera for example. We will also continue to support and link  local farmers’ rights .and human rights organizations, as well as groups focused on  reconstruction and  supportive diaspora networks.

More about FOKAL : www.fokal.org