CIP Action for Haiti
CIP members have responded with concern and compassion to the open letter circulated in our last e-mail blast, related to the crisis in Haiti. Canadian planners are troubled by the devastating situation following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake there on January 12, 2010 and are asking what CIP and the Canadian planning profession can do.
At present, the most immediate need and best contribution to the earthquake victims in Haiti is to donate money to experienced humanitarian aid organizations. Following this article is a list of recognized organizations where your donations can help to make a difference.
The Canadian Institute of Planners is in discussions with numerous partners to determine how the Institute and its members can contribute to the longer term rebuilding process. CIP has contacted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon and is in communication with the Canadian International development Agency (CIDA) to offer its assistance with any federal government response. We are also exploring, through our professional networks in Canada and abroad, how we might combine efforts and coordinate our contribution with the work of others.
CIP’s past history and success with international capacity-building projects, especially in the Americas, provides a solid basis for contributing to rebuilding in Haiti. Our more than 10 years of overseas project experience includes working from 2005 to 2007 in partnership with the Government of Grenada Agency for Reconstruction and Development and other agencies, addressing hazard mitigation issues in the rebuilding efforts there following Hurricane Ivan.
As our discussions continue, we’ll keep you informed as to how CIP expects to coordinate our efforts and bring our institutional and membership resources to bear on creating resilient and sustainable communities in Haiti. Please watch for more information to follow on our web site and by e-mail.
List of Canadian Organization leading humanitarian efforts in Haiti
Please note that there are many other organizations participating in the humanitarian efforts in Haiti. CIP has chosen to list some of the major organizations. Listed below is the name of the organization with a link to its website and a description about the organization and/or how it is helping in Haiti.
The Canadian Red Cross is mobilizing to support relief efforts in Haiti—providing medical support, clean water, food and shelter to people who have lost everything.
We also need to look beyond immediate relief, to the Haitian people’s longer-term needs as they recover from this enormous tragedy and begin to rebuild their communities. Aside from the human toll—which continues to climb—this earthquake has robbed hundreds of thousands of people of their homes and livelihoods, in a country that is already the poorest in the western hemisphere.
The Humanitarian Coalition - Oxfam, Oxfam-Québec, Care Canada and Save the Children
The Humanitarian Coalition is a network of Canadian NGOs dedicated to a united response in cases of humanitarian crises. The members of the Coalition unite because they recognise the need for strong, decisive action. At present, the Coalition has FOUR members: CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada. These members share the same goal to help the most vulnerable and together they are even better equipped to do so. The Humanitarian Coalition is a fundraising and coordination body that directly supports the humanitarian activities of its members. It does not operate humanitarian programs of its own.
Médecins sans frontiers/Doctors Without Borders
MSF is the world’s leading independent humanitarian medical relief organization, providing emergency medical care to population in need without discrimination based on race, religion, philosophy or politics. MSF follows universal medical ethics by offering neutral and impartial help and maintains complete independence from any political, economic or religious power.
Habitat’s response in Haiti
Although the full toll of homes severely damaged or destroyed is not yet known, Habitat has begun to respond by addressing immediate relief efforts and long-term shelter solutions for low-income families.
Based on what is known now, and on Habitat’s past experience with international disasters, Habitat’s early response to the earthquake is threefold:
- mobilizing people to clear the way for shelter construction and home rehabilitation;
- distributing building materials and tools in shelter kits; and,
- constructing transitional housing.
The extent of each intervention will depend on the amount of support we are able to mobilize.
Rooftops Canada is the international development program of co-operative and social housing organizations in Canada. Rooftops Canada works with the Canadian housing sector and overseas partners to improve housing conditions, build sustainable communities and develop a shared vision of equitable global development. Rooftops Canada's focus is on disadvantaged communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 119 countries around the world.
You can also text “HAITI” to 45678 from any Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and Telus cell phone to contribute $5.00. For more information, visit: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/textdonations/.
SOS Childrens’ Villages Canada/ SOS Villages d'Enfants Canada
SOS Children's Villages is an independent, non-governmental social development organization, which has been active in the field of children's needs, concerns and rights since 1949. Its activities focus on neglected and abandoned children and orphans, as well as disadvantaged families.
If a child or children cannot stay with their biological family, their right to care, protection and equal opportunities should still be guaranteed. This is the basic principle according to which SOS Children's Villages carries out its activities in 132 countries and territories. SOS Children's Villages makes it possible for orphaned and abandoned children to be part of a family once again by providing homes and family-based care.