Special Focus: Crisis in Haiti
Crisis in Haiti and Women's Rights
Two years after a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti’s capital of Port-Au-Prince, on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 the nation is still trying to rebuild their country and their lives.
It was the most devastating earthquake experienced on the island in 200 years with a death toll of approximately 316 000 and with hundreds of thousands more injured and displaced.
But the recovery and reconstruction process has been slow and approximately half a million Haitians are still homeless and living in displacement camps with violence and disease threatening the lives of thousands.
The international community displayed an outpouring of solidarity in the form of rapid mobilization of aid, search and rescue missions and disaster relief. Feminist organizations also rallied to mobilize and support the victims of the tragedy. But the task was huge and since the disaster, half of the rubble has been cleared and according to the United Nations, 4.3 million people have received food aid and 1.5 million people have received shelter, clean water and health kits.
At AWID we have supported feminist contributions to relief efforts in Haiti by fostering awareness about what women's organizations are doing on the ground in Haiti and in other parts of the world. This information contributes to strengthening solidarity though news bulletins and information available here on our website.
This special section on our website is designed to provide you with a wide range of information on how the crisis in Haiti has impacted women and women's rights and how you can act in solidarity with the women, men and children of Haiti.
Haiti and Women's Rights: Historical ContextHaiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Its long struggle with debt, poverty and violence has been deepened by the tragic earthquake of 12 January 2010. | Impact of the Crisis on WomenWomen in Haiti have long been at the forefront of resistance and reform in Haiti yet women are often overlooked in post-disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. What is the status of women and women’s rights in Haiti two years after the devastating earthquake? | |
Aftermath of the earthquakeThe earthquake of 12 January 2010 was the most devastating earthquake experienced on the island in the past 200 years. Haiti is now a nation in ruins. Read the latest analysis on the earthquake and its aftermath | Show Solidarity!The people of Haiti are in desperate need of support. Show your solidarity today! | |
Disasters from a women's rights perspectiveUnderstanding disasters from a women's rights perspective is crucial to effective and sustainable relief and reconstruction |