When donors meet in New York at the United Nations on March 31 to pledge billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Haiti after the devastating earthquake, consideration must be given to a providing for a two-pronged strategy focused on reconstruction and development. Haiti’s earthquake afflicted areas need immediate and life saving assistance. A transition to development also needs to be articulated.
For those areas of the country not physically affected by earthquake, specifically the northern communes, attention must be paid to the stresses placed on local governments being impacted by the large influx of Haitians migrating from Port-au-prince and other earthquake affected areas. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), almost 600,000 people have fled the city for outlying areas. These localities will need to be assisted with social service provisions, infrastructure stresses and economic development opportunities to assist their populations – the long-term residents and new arrivals.
Those gathering in March must fund reconstruction efforts focused on Port-au-Prince and other communities devastated by the earthquake. Funding must also be pledged for a nationwide development strategy to be implemented by the Haitian government and its partners. If donors fail to support this two-pronged approach to rebuilding Haiti, widening disparities in the overall development will begin to take root permanently.
About InterAction: InterAction is the largest alliance U.S.-based nongovernmental international humanitarian relief and development organizations with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. www.interaction.org
