Donate FR
enes

Completed project

Emergency Assistance after Hurricane Irma

Haiti
Adapting to climate changeWomen’s Economic EmpowermentInclusive Governance and Peacebuilding
Date

October 2017 - April 2018

Financial contribution

CAD$ 50,000

Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie of Quebec

Consortium partner

Communal Section Administrative Council (CASEC) of Fort-Liberté

Impact for

330 families and 1650 women, men, and children

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated many Caribbean islands. With sustained winds reaching over 280 km/h, it was the most powerful storm recorded in the North Atlantic in over 35 years. In Haiti, the Northeast department was the hardest hit. The torrential rains caused major flooding, destroying fields, crops, and homes.

This emergency humanitarian assistance project aimed to meet the immediate needs of affected populations through the distribution of survival kits and school supplies. It also sought to promote women's economic recovery and support families in risk prevention.

Objectives

1 / 3

Material support to the most vulnerable

In close collaboration with local authorities, particularly the elected officials of the CASEC, and in partnership with key actors in the affected areas, CECI ensured the establishment of a support committee representative of the region’s realities. Comprised of CASEC members, women's and youth organizations, as well as representatives of Baptist and Catholic Churches, the committee was responsible for identifying the real needs of the flood-affected populations. After establishing the selection criteria for recipients (priority given to single-parent families, women-headed households, elderly people, and individuals living with disabilities), the committee validated the specific content of the kits to be distributed.

Recapitalization of women traders

The support committee and CASEC selected 60 women who had lost their businesses in the floods. They each received a recapitalization grant of 200 CAD. They also received quick financial literacy training, which covered topics such as the distinction between profits and personal funds, the importance of separating business from household needs, and how to calculate profit.

All the women chose to restart the same businesses they had before Hurricane Irma. These businesses included small food stalls (selling rice, peas, oil, etc.), hardware supplies (notebooks, soap, etc.), second-hand shoe sales, and prepared food stands (grilled items, candies, etc.).

Disaster preparedness

A final component of the project focused on strengthening community capacities in disaster risk management.

Support to families and children

Essential humanitarian aid for rebuilding

Supported families received food supplies (rice, peas, oil, spaghetti, sardines, etc.), as well as hygiene products, emergency supplies, and school kits for their children. The content of the school kits was determined by the support committee, which met with school directors and youth associations. Vulnerable students in classes with end-of-year exams were specifically targeted.

Finally, tools for cleaning up flood damage were also distributed. The materials (shovels, picks, axes, wheelbarrows, boots, gloves, rakes, etc.) were given to CASEC, which was trained to manage and maintain them. These tools will also enable the entire community to participate more actively in prevention measures (cleaning drainage systems) and respond quickly and independently in future disasters.

Results that matter

Quick support for a fresh start

200

families, of which 128 were headed by women, received a bag of rice, peas, and two emergency kits containing food and hygiene products.

200

children (94 girls) received a school kit containing pencils, a notebook, geometry instruments, and various school manuals.

267

tools distributed

Our partners

Thank you to our financial, consortium and implementation partners, without whom this project would not be possible.

Discover more projects

Our projects

Take action

Get involved now and make a difference!

Become a volunteer