Konbit Pou Ayiti

Collaborating in the Wake of the Earthquake

On January 12, 2010, all of our lives changed forever. As a network of individuals dedicated to working in Haiti, we felt the world come to a stop when the earthquake shook the country to its knees. Haiti was no longer “off the map”. Many people who had never thought much about Haiti opened their hearts to the suffering in the images on our televisions, computers and in the newspapers. Because of our personal bonds with Haiti and her people, this disaster brought unmanageable grief into our lives.

The Haiti Response Coalition began to form only minutes after the news of the earthquake began to spread across the globe. As we desperately tried to reach those in Haiti, we began to plan a rapid response to the crisis. Those of us who had been working in Haiti for years knew instinctively that we had to band together, pooling our resources, our networks, our contacts, our energies and our creativity. We had to support each other in the rescue, the relief and eventually in the recovery and rebuilding. Even as our lives became tèt anba, upside down, and the days and nights began to run together, we relentlessly sought to to help our Haitian friends, driven by adrenalin and our love for this beleaguered country and its people, whose resiliency seemed always to be tested.

Within twenty-four hours a group of like-minded NGOs began daily conference calls, establishing plans and delegating responsibilities. At the same time we began to assemble our networks on the ground in Haiti. As U.S.-based NGOs were planning supply lines and points of entry, and raising funds, our team on the ground was mobilizing to immediately assess communities and be part of the front-line emergency response.

Haiti, accustomed to being neglected, was suddenly brought into the consciousness of people around the world. The horror of this tragedy just beyond our shores struck deeper each day. Our organizations have received an outpouring of generosity from around the world, including donations of cash and much-needed medical supplies and major shipments of temporary housing. And the donations came from everywhere — from established foundations and groups of schoolchildren, all moved to action by this catastrophe.

The coalition is more than the people listed here and growing every day. It comprises all who have been touched by the plight of every Haitian. This coalition includes you and all who through thoughts and actions are mobilizing with us to respond to Haiti now.

Members of the Haiti Response Coalition:
Konbit Pou Ayiti/KONPAY
Beyond Borders
Fondasyon Limyè Lavi
Honor and Respect Foundation
Haitian Sustainable Development Foundation
Quixote Center
Ananda Margra Universal Relief Team – AMURT
Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group – AIDG
Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods – SOIL
Community Coalition for Haiti – CCH
Mennonite Central Committee – MCC
Fondasyon Jean Robert Cadet
PURE WATER for Haiti
Health Empowering Humanity