Haiti

Our plan in Haiti

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Haiti to empower communities to bring real and lasting change, so that their children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan has been working in the Caribbean nation of Haiti since 1973.  Working in partnership with government, local NGOs, evangelical groups and community based organisations, Plan Haiti's programs aim to address the following issues affecting children:

• High rates of child mortality and disease, including HIV and AIDS as a result of limited access to health services, water and sanitation
• Low quality education
• Border insecurity
• Domestic and social violence
• Unemployment and civil violence
• Deterioration of rural infrastructure
• Lack of awareness on issues relating to child rights

Plan’s programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Education

Plan Haiti works to improve access to quality education for all children by improving school infrastructure, providing access to resources and encouraging community-management of education facilities.

Health

A high child mortality rate exists in Haiti as a result of poor access to health services.  Plan Haiti works to increase access to services, water and sanitation and improve child nutrition.  Plan also supports awareness programs for reproductive and sexual health, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS and works to increase access to community care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Child rights

Children in Haiti are subject to domestic and social violence either directly or indirectly.  There is also a lack of understanding and recognition of child rights.  Plan Haiti supports children’s networks and child-led community organisations.  Through these networks and organisations, Plan assists advocacy of child rights by encouraging community involvement in decision-making processes.

Household economic security

In response to high unemployment and civil strife, Plan Haiti works with local partners to improve employment and income-generation activities for families by providing access to credit, savings facilities and vocational training.

Country Facts

Country	Haiti	Australia
Flag
Population	8.4 Million	19.9 Million
Language	French	English
Capital	Port-au-Prince	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	420	$29,000
Life expectancy	52	80.3
Access to safe drinking water	54%	100%
Literacy	51.9%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006