CWS appeals for Haiti
Almost 5 million people, half the population of the Caribbean country are struggling to find food. Gangs control as much as 80 per cent of the capital Port-au-Prince, making transportation dangerous and often impossible. People live in constant fear and shelter in public spaces and schools when their homes are destroyed. An estimated 362,000 people have been displaced. Sexual assault, rape, kidnapping, and murder are common.
Despite this insecurity, our partner Institut Culturel Karl Lévêque wants to help people traumatised by their experiences. Its immediate concern is for women and girls in the La Saline neighbourhood. ICKL plans to run psychosocial workshops and provide individual support to some of those most traumatised. A university professor with expertise in community-based psychosocial care will lead the eight-month programme.
ICKL will support a collective kitchen run by those affected. It will provide a daily meal for people living in the shelter camp who have no other source of food. In keeping with its commitment to community-based approaches, ICKL is organising student associations to provide individual tuition and support to school students living with trauma and unable to attend school.
In addition, ICKL is seeking funding to repair the rainwater supply system to two community schools in Belle Fontaine which were badly damaged by the gangs. For now the only source of water is a local river, requiring a steep walk that takes over an hour. The local farmers have prevented further attacks with their vigilance.
Daily life has become very challenging for most Haitians living with a long series of political and socio-economic crises. ICKL advocates for a Haitian solution to these complex problems rather than actions imposed from outside the country. It assists mainly rural communities to work together to build sustainable livelihoods and protect their communities from harm.
CWS is appealing for prayers and donations for food, water and psychosocial care. Donate to the Haiti Appeal or by phone 0800 74 73 72.
