Haiti Innovation News/Actualités

RFK Center Completes Advocacy Trip to the Dominican Republic

Bryan Schaaf — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:30:08 +0000

Kerry Kennedy of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Justice and Human Rights recently completed an advocacy mission to the Dominican Republic. The racism against those with darker skin can be so intense that travelling there feels like going back in time. Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent are routinely denied citizenship, making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. While meeting with government officials, Kennedy urged them to work with local human rights defenders such as Sonia Pierre, who despite winning the 2006 RFK Human Rights Award, has been treated not as a hero, but a threat. Her trip summary is copied blow.

Not Such a Surprise at All: Good News from Haiti on HIV/AIDS

Bryan Schaaf — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:11:21 +0000

Associated Press Writer Jonathan Katz recently wrote an article entitled "From Haiti, a Suprise: Good News about AIDS." In reality, it is far from a suprise. We've long known that Haiti has been, despite numerous challenges, one of only a handfull of countries to reverse its epidemic. Treatment models pioneered here are being applied in Sub-Saharan Africa. Haiti shows us what an engaged civil society and sustained political will, backed by international support, can accomplish in even the most difficult circumstances. I am proud and hope you are as well.

Konbit Sante and Direct Relief International Announce Hurricane Preparedness Partnership

Bryan Schaaf — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:03:25 +0000

Konbit Sante is a Maine-based non profit organization focused on building the physical infrastructure of Cap Haitian's Justinian Hospital and the capacity of its staff, significant given that this health facility is the largest in the north. Last week, Konbit Sante announced a new partnership with Direct Relief International (DRI). DRI has agreed to provide close to half a million dollars worth of medications to the Justinian Hospital. Should tropical storms hit northern Haiti again this year, having these medicines on hand will considerably improve response time. A press release is copied below.

Second Annual Congress of the Haitian Diaspora (August 6-9, 2009)

Bryan Schaaf — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:53 +0000

The second annual International Congress of the Haitian Diaspora will take place August 6-9, 2009 at Trump International Beach Resorts in Miami Beach, Florida. The purpose of the event is to capitalize on the resources that the Diaspora can bring to help build Haiti’s economy. The agenda includes a variety of issues such as boosting tourism, stimulating agricultural production, restoring forests and ecology, managing water supplies, preparing for disasters, achieving literacy, and job creation. A schedule of events is copied below. If you would like to participate, you can register here. Contact information is listed below if you want to volunteer.

IMF, IDB, World Bank Forgive $1.2 Billion of Haiti's Debt

Bryan Schaaf — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:54:40 +0000

Jonathan Katz reported that the World Bank, IMF, and IDB canceled $1.2 billion of Haiti's debt Tuesday, freeing up millions of dollars for much needed poverty reduction programs. Needless to say, this is excellent news. Given the scope of Haiti's needs, it never made sense its citizens should have to pay $1.6 million in debt per month, most of which was acquired under dictators that they never voted for. This represents a measure of confidence in the Preval Administration, which now has a bit more economic flexibility than it had before. More info below.

State Department Releases 2009 TIP Report: Haiti and the DR

Bryan Schaaf — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:54:24 +0000

Human trafficking is a global problem that affects every country in the world. Last week, the U.S. State Department released its 2009 annual report on how well partner governments are preventing and responding to human trafficking. Understanding trafficking in Haiti requires understanding the situation in the Dominican Republic. Neither country complies with minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, although both governments acknowledge the need to do more. This is an issue that clearly requires cross-border collaboration.

The Prime Minister's New Paradigm For Haiti

Bryan Schaaf — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:28:53 +0000

Copied below is a strategy paper that Prime Minister Pierre Louis recently released on how the Haitian government intends to meet its short term goals. I was pleased to see the attention devoted to agriculture, the private sector, and infrastructure development. Unfortunately, the Haitian government has yet to receive one gourde from the Haiti Donors' Conference. Hopefully, Special Envoy Clinton has not lost his touch and will be able to encourage Friends of Haiti to honor their pledges. The paper is brief but balanced and well thought out. Please feel free to post your thoughts about it in the comments section.

Kenscoff Environmental Summer Camp (7/12/09 - 7/19/09)

Bryan Schaaf — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:51:41 +0000

We first blogged about the Wynne Farm way back in December 2005. In that blog, Matt noted how important it is for children, in a country that depends on agriculture for survival, to understand the environment. Each Summer, COHEF (Children of Haitian Enhancement Foundation), the Unity Church of Miami, and the Wynne Farm Ecological Preserve hold a two week, nature intensive summer camp. If you would like to lend a hand, volunteers are needed as well as in kind and cash contributions. More information is below.

H.E.L.P Second Annual Washington DC Fundraiser (7/10/2009)

Bryan Schaaf — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:10:46 +0000

The Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP), which provides merit and need based scholarships for Haiti’s top high school graduates, will hold its second annual fundraising event in Washington, DC on Friday, July 10th. The event will feature music, cocktails, Haitian food, and speeches from HELP alumni. If you’d like to be a part of this event, please register here by July 1st. Copied below is a recent IPS article on HELP's efforts to recruit talented students in rural areas and attached is an invite and fact sheet.

Paving the Way for Economic Recovery in Haiti

Bryan Schaaf — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:06:47 +0000

Dialogue concerning Haiti's development is changing. First, there is more discussion than ever before about Haiti's private sector, and a sense that trade will do more for Haiti in the long run than aid. Second, there is a growing emphasis on integrating Haiti economically and socially with the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America. Finally, donors are increasingly helping the Haitian government to address its own priorities. There are many challenges but also many possibilities. As Haitian say, little by little birds make their nests...