One month on: Giving children a voice in Haiti's recovery

A girl speaking out through a Plan- supported youth media project

15 February 2010: Plan is campaigning hard to ensure that children are involved in the earthquake recovery process being set up by the Haitian government.

It’s been one month since the disaster struck – killing 230,000 people and leaving more than 1,000,000 homeless. In a country where nearly half of the population is under the age of 18, it will be the children of Haiti who rebuild their nation.

Resilient and effective

“Children and young people have been hit particularly hard by the earthquake in Haiti. However, they are often seen simply as victims in disasters whereas they can actually be as or even more resilient, creative and effective in coping with change as adults,” says Plan’s Director of Disasters and Humanitarian Response, Roger Yates. 

“They also have great social and communication networks which could be key to not only getting this young nation back on its feet but preventing and minimising the impact of future disasters.

“There is actually an opportunity to build better for the future of Haiti, but unless we listen to young people and actively involve them in protecting their homes and communities, then no significant change is going to be made.”

Plan support

Up to now, young people rarely had a chance to be heard in Haiti. ”Before, the government completely excluded young people in this country. Now we need a new strategy,” says Jean Kency Vixama, aged 22.

Plan will work with children and youth groups to ensure that the government and the international community listen to their concerns. Supported by Plan facilitators, trained youth journalists will talk to children in different parts of Haiti, produce radio programmes, videos and blogs. The information they collect will be fed back into the reconstruction process.

Speaking out

Many young earthquake survivors have a very clear vision of what a new Haiti should look like. “I want that the rights of children are respected and that all children know what their rights are,” says 15-year-old Daphmika. “ I also want that everyone has access to education.”

Decentralisation is another major concern. ”It is important that the reconstruction process in Haiti not only concentrates on Port-au-Prince. Otherwise people from other towns will keep on coming here and there will be more and more slums,” says 19-year-old Meite.

Find out more about Plan’s emergency response work in Haiti

Learn more about Plan’s global work in emergencies