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The context
Haiti has a population of 10.9 million people across 10,714 square miles. Some 4.6 million people — more than 40 percent of the population — are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. This includes more than 3.6 million people facing crisis levels of hunger.
Since gaining independence from France on the first day of 1804, Haiti has had a tumultuous political history which includes an occupation by the U.S. from 1915 to 1934 and a period of military rule from 1991 to 1994. Economic and political instability persists today, with civil unrest intensifying at the end of 2019.
Communities in Haiti are incredibly resilient considering the complex challenges they face. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. A quarter of the population lives in extreme poverty — on less than $1.90 per day — and is deprived of basic human needs as a result.
The increasingly severe impacts of climate change exacerbate these challenges. Natural disasters impact Haiti more frequently and severely than almost every other country in the world. In 2020, Haiti ranked third out of 187 countries most affected by extreme weather and climate-related stressors.
In spite of these challenges, the people of Haiti are hopeful that a brighter future is coming.
Our impact
Since 2010, we have been providing lifesaving disaster relief, empowering women and young people, providing economic opportunity and more to help build a stronger, more stable tomorrow for all of Haiti. Here are our primary focus areas:
Disaster preparedness and response
Social cohesion and good governance
Financial inclusion and economic opportunity
Youth engagement
Gender equality
Now, as Haiti faces the threat of COVID‑19, we are adapting our work so support can continue with appropriate social distancing. We have also developed further programming to raise awareness of the coronavirus and help prevent its spread.