CARE's five-year recovery strategy

CARE's long-term strategy for reconstruction is focused on the needs of the Haitian people and working in partnership with the government, civil society organisations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

CARE has identified several populations that must be considered for any rehabilitation efforts to have lasting impact: vulnerable children (out-of-school children, adolescents fulfilling domestic service roles, street children and those displaced), young people living on less than $1 per day, vulnerable women (those living on less than $1 per day, young mothers, women heads of household) and populations with special needs (people with physical limitations, people living with HIV and AIDS, displaced families and people who do not own land).

Inequalities in the country increased the devastation caused by the earthquake - social exclusion, poor governance, inadequate access to education and other social services, limited economic opportunities and environmental degradation are some of the main underlying causes of poverty in Haiti that must be addressed for the country to succeed.

In some respects, the earthquake unveiled deep inequalities in Haitian society. This resulted in many sectors of the population realising the need for greater social cohesion. Fortunately, Haiti has a large number of young people and numerous active women’s groups; the government has also committed to a decentralisation process. All of these factors will help further Haiti’s rehabilitation and assure that it's led by the Haitians themselves

To address underlying causes of poverty and promote the country’s potential, we commit to the following:

• working in partnership with the government of Haiti and civil society to develop models for local development and governance based on good practices and learning
• advocating in conjunction with civil society networks based on evidence from successful models
• supporting the development of capacities of Haitian society
• promoting dialogue at all levels of reconstruction efforts.

CARE’s long experience addressing underlying causes of poverty worldwide will strengthen our ability to help Haiti emerge stronger.  

Read more about CARE's work in Haiti