CCRP TO UNDERTAKE WORK IN HAITI

An opportunity has come forward for the Canadian Communications and Relief Project to send two folks to Haiti for an initial feasibility study and to do what we can in order to hopefully help alleviate even a small portion of the suffering experienced in the month since the earthquake hit.

Geoffrey Young and Liam O Doherty are hoping to arrive in Haiti on Sunday, Feb 14, 2010. As well as arranging for accommodations and various other logistical concerns, we have compiled a considerable list of grassroots organizations working on the ground in Haiti in disaster relief, recovery, rebuilding and development into the future. Our plans for our meagre 7-10 day trip is to make contact with as many of these organizations as possible, whether they be schools, old folks homes, clinics, community organizations, orphanages etc…. in order to discern their level of determination to rebuild as well as their needs in doing so. These organizations will then be put in contact with similar individuals and organizations in order to receive direct support.

So much of the relief dollar related to any given disaster goes to administration and organizational costs leaving surprisingly little impact for the often staggering amount of donations pledged to a given disaster. By building direct grassroots support networks we feel that this can be remedied. We feel strongly that local capacity, knowledge and experience needs to be at the root of rebuilding of Haiti if the reconstruction is to achieve a stable, sustainable outcome.

With security concerns being of such immediate priority in disaster situations, it is not surprising that the largest institutions such as governments, militaries and bilateral relief agencies can become alienated from the local population. Our research indicates this to be the case currently in Haiti. We hope to be able to help to improve, and in some cases, open lines of communication and support between the affected community and large relief organizations in order to help bring relief resources to bear more directly on populations I need.

Finally, we aim to try to counteract the diminutions of the media cyclerelated the Haiti earthquake. As time passes from the actual event itself, media attention has waned. Despite this the humanitarian situation remains dire. By accessing independent media outlets, and providing direct reportage and information to as many outlets as possible, we hope to be able to provide part of the beginning of an ongoing reconstruction narrative which will continue long into the future.