HELP FOR HAITI
Providing immediate humanitarian aid for existing NGOs in Haiti
APE has decided to give aid directly to existing organizations in Haiti rather than go through the big agencies like MSF & Oxfam. This is because these organizations themselves have been severely hit by the earthquake and are in need of support, but also because they have longstanding links with local communities in Haiti and therefore have an intimate knowledge of who needs support and how that support can be achieved using local people and local resources: an imperative recovery strategy.
The three NGOs selected for initial support are:
Fonkoze – www.fonkoze.org
Fonkoze is Haiti’s Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor. They are the largest micro-finance institution offering a full range of financial services to the rural-based poor in Haiti. Fonkoze is committed to the economic and social improvement of the people and communities of Haiti and to the reduction of poverty in the country. They have a disaster relief strategy in place and once the immediate crisis is over, they will be central in rebuilding the economy.
Partners in Health – www.standwithhaiti.org PiH has worked in Haitian communities for over twenty years. Their mission is to provide preferential healthcare options for the poor of Haiti and they have had great success in treating allegedly ‘untreatable’ problems. They have an effective emergency relief strategy in place and are actively working on the ground to alleviate suffering.
The Lambi Fund of Haiti – www.lambifund.org
The Lambi Fund of Haiti is a unique grassroots organization whose mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in the country. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society as a necessary foundation for democracy and development. The Lambi Fund is based on the premise that the Haitian people understand how development is best achieved in their country. Therefore, the Lambi Fund follows the lead of grassroots organizations in its programmes and priorities. Again, The Lambi Fund has a relief strategy in place, and will be key to rebuilding the country in years to come.
