International Catholic Charity says Haitian communities must be 'at center' of long-term recovery

Port au Prince, Haiti: January 26, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Two weeks after a devastating earthquake rocked the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, an international Catholic charity says long-term reconstruction and development in Haiti must be locally-led if it is to have any chance of success.

As international agencies begin to move from 'search and rescue' to meeting essential needs such as food, water and shelter, Progressio -- an international charity with Catholic roots that enables poor communities to solve their own problems through support from skilled workers -- and its staff on the ground in Haiti say that local people have already shown considerable leadership in the relief effort and must now be supported to lead their own longer-term recovery.

The 'Help Haiti' coalition, which is based in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo, is made up of over 110 local and international organizations who have come together to assist the people of Haiti following the January 12 earthquake. It includes Progressio, Centro Bono and the Jesuit Refugee Service among others.

Progressio has worked in Haiti for many years and now operates primarily in the border areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, partnering with local organizations to promote bi-national relations between the two countries.

Progressio, like many other locally-based agencies, has been moved to assist the Haitian people following requests from its partner organizations on the ground. So far, thousands of survivors have been helped by the Progressio-backed 'Help Haiti' coalition, although many still need urgent assistance.

Progressio has launched an appeal to support 'Help Haiti' and is accepting donations via its website www.progressio.org.uk/haitiappeal  

Despite huge challenges of coordination and security, significant efforts have been made by local organizations to ensure aid reaches deep into the Haitian community, says José Emperador, a Progressio development worker who has spent the past week working as part of the 'Ayuda a Haiti' (Help Haiti) coalition of which Progressio is part.

He said: "The serious problems facing [aid agencies] in terms of distributing aid are twofold: security and logistics. These are slowly being resolved thanks to the incredible help and collaboration from Haitians - the locals who live here.

"It will always be the Haitians who will be the most effective. There is no-one who knows the terrain like the Haitians, there is no-one who speaks Creole like the Haitians themselves. The aid is here, but we can't do anything without their help. The images you are seeing of foreign staff, rescue workers in blue helmets, American marines jumping out of helicopters -- this is not the whole story."

José continued: "It's not a graphic image, but in many neighborhoods Haitians are organizing things for themselves, carrying out the most basic tasks of organization and distribution. It's the people themselves who are doing this."

Lizzette Robleto, Progressio's Advocacy Coordinator for Latin America said: "It has been humbling to see the huge efforts made by local people and their Dominican neighbors in the aftermath of this colossal disaster. It is their country, and they should be placed at the centre of the task of rebuilding this impoverished nation -- and making it stronger."

International relief efforts continue across Haiti, too.

Tim Aldred, Progressio's Advocacy Manager, said: "The assistance provided by the international community has already saved thousands of lives -- directly and indirectly. Without it, Haiti would not have had access to the resources and equipment it so desperately needed. It is encouraging to see the daily convoy of relief supplies arriving in Port-au-Prince. These are vital to help meet people's most basic needs."

He continued: "With infrastructure so badly damaged, the support of the international community in the reconstruction effort will also be essential. What we need to see now is a strong partnership. Haitians must be at the centre of their own recovery and the international community must support them through it."

Since the quake struck, Progressio staff and development workers have been operating day and night alongside the 'Help Haiti' team to distribute medical supplies on the ground in the Haitian capital and in the nearby towns of Jacmel and Leogane; coordinate the purchase and delivery of food and water to survivors and ensure access to urgent medical treatment for hundreds of people. A second round of medical care is now underway, with doctors attending to the many injured.

Progressio was formerly the Catholic Institute for International Relations. Progressio lobbies decision-makers to change policies that keep people poor. For further information see: www.progressio.org.uk