Haiti earthquake—MCC’s response one year later

KITCHENER, ON – “In the midst of enormous challenges, the lives of countless vulnerable Haitian people affected by the earthquake have been touched by Mennonite Central Committee and its partner organizations in the country,” comments Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director of MCC Ontario. 

Immediately following the January 12, 2010 earthquake, donations totaling $14.1 million began to pour in for MCC’s disaster response. In addition, within the next months, MCC distributed material resources, such as relief kits, comforters and canned meat valued to $3.1 million.

To date, approximately a third of the $14.1 donated to MCC for its Haiti Earthquake appeal has been allocated for projects already underway, or for projects that will be underway shortly, says Cober Bauman. He goes on to explain that MCC has developed a five-year plan for the remaining $9.5 million that will include projects such as building and repairing homes, small-business support, agricultural development, education, trauma healing and water and sanitation projects.

Over the past years, Haitian people have been forced to leave their rural communities and settle in Port au Prince, the only centre for education, employment and economic stability. The rural flight to the capital heavily over taxed the city’s infrastructure and has been seen as a major contributor to the high vulnerability of hundreds of thousands of its residents when the earthquake struck.

Immediately after the quake, many survivors fled the rubble and returned to their rural roots and communities that were not affected. MCC’s commitment to strengthen community capacity is reflected in its decision to focus much of its long term relief and development efforts in these rural areas so that people are not drawn back to the capital city. 

MCC has also applied for $2.8 million in matching funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Approved projects will be announced by CIDA in February, 2011.

MCC has worked in Haiti for more than 50 years and does most of its work through, and in collaboration with trusted Haitian partner organizations.

“Our disaster response builds on the relationships we already have and meets both the urgent and the longer term needs of the communities in which our partner organizations work,” said Cober Bauman.

At least one group has organized an event to encourage continued commitment to a healthy and hopeful future for Haiti. “Hope for Haiti – Strengthening the Community” is a benefit concert featuring Kevin Coates and The Interesting People. It will take place at Floradale Mennonite Church (22 Florapine Rd. Floradale, on Saturday January 29, starting at 7:30pm. No admission. It will include a free will offering in support of MCC’s long term capacity building in rural Haiti.

For further information please contact Rick Cober Bauman at 519-745-8458 or 519-404-1927 (cell)