Before Rebuilding Haiti, Donors Should Do More Than Consult With Aid Organizations

Tomorrow’s donor country meeting on Haiti reconstruction should be informed by the field-based knowledge of U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many have been working in Haiti for more than thirty years providing life-saving services such as healthcare, education, sanitation, micro-loans and agricultural assistance. And as one of third largest donor to the Haiti crisis, right up there with the European Union and U.S. government, NGOs, or aid organizations as many describe us, deserve to be heard.

Just to clarify, the goal and role of aid organizations working in Haiti has been to build the capacity of local organizations and tackle the needs of a population, not to step in for an overmatched or unstable government. Thanks to the generosity of private donors–including the American people–NGOs have been able to mitigate the impact of the instability in Haiti before the earthquake and since, to stay consistent in their presence and focus.

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