Human Rights & Social Justice
To contribute to the improvement of basic education as well as to raise awareness about hygiene and sanitation mainly in rural and semi-urban areas. This means concretely, to enhance and improve education quality and school management in diocesan primary schools and other educational institutions, strengthen the resilience of disadvantaged children, youth and women through basic education, professional education, training in entrepreneurship and psycho-social support and to improve the hygiene and sanitation environment and change sanitary behavior/ attitudes of pupils.
Food Security
To contribute to a development which improves in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner the food security situation of the rural population in the West and Artibonite departments and to reduce risks related to climate change and natural hazards. This will be achieved through activities aiming at the productivity of small-scale farmers and reduction of post-harvest loss, an increased income of small-scale farmers through valorisation of their products and an improved market-orientation, an increased resilience through rehabilitated irrigation systems, effective use of water and adapted methods to climate change and finally the strengthening of farmer associations and independent water irrigation committees.
Humanitarian Aid
To provide for immediate needs, mid-term support for the cholera response and to reduce water born diseases as well as to reconstruct hurricane and earthquake resistant private houses and schools that will reduce the effect of natural hazards. The holistic and participatory approach in the house reconstruction project enhances local income generation and other livelihood aspects. The access to education for children living in the earthquake affected areas is improved through the reconstruction of schools and a proper management of the respective schools. Vulnerable people and people in risk of being affected from natural disaster have increased their resilience, and are prepared for disaster situations.
Linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) is a key element in the design of the Caritas Country Programme for Haiti. Caritas Switzerland includes the cross-cutting issues of partner support, gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity and environment in all interventions in Haiti. Caritas Switzerland main zones of intervention are the Artibonite and West departments, with Gonaïves and Port au Prince as the respective capitals.
The programme is in harmony with national sector policies For the implementation of projects in the field Caritas Switzerland is involved with the local Caritas and other local organizations, Dioceses and Government structures. Caritas Switzerland is seeking to diversify partnerships.
The financial volume for the ongoing 4-years-Countr Programme is CHF 31,6 million.
Short history of Caritas Switzerland presence in country
Caritas Switzerland (CACH) has been active in Haiti for more than 30 years. In the beginning, activities with the local Caritas network were scattered in the country. CACH worked with selected dioceses supervised by Caritas Haiti. CACH with its partners in Haiti has implemented projects in the fields of microcredit, agriculture and rural development, education, human rights and post emergency response. Since the earthquake in January 2010, Caritas Switzerland is present with the two departments of Emergency Aid (EA) and geographical cooperation (AFLA). While the EA department (expertise in construction) will gradually reduce its size with the plan to phase out until the end of 2015, the AFLA department will expand its office and further develop its expertise.
