Plan’s strategy in Haiti* works to ensure that all children access their right to survival, development, protection and participation. It builds on past successes and influences donors and the government.

We work with disadvantaged children and communities in:

• Croix-des-Bouquets
• Beudet
• Frère
• Dolney
• Jacmel
• Lavallée
• Cayes Jacmel
• Trou du Nord
• Ouanaminthe and Fort-Liberté.

In Haiti, the most serious issues facing children are:

• extreme poverty
• violence
• access to water and sanitation
• inadequate education.

Key goals

Our strategy to address these issues is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and comprises the following:

Rights orientated development approach

• create the capacity among Haitian children and youth to fulfill their rights
• promote child rights with the participation of children, particularly those in challenging situations

Education and health

• increase access to quality education
• increase use of effective health care services
• support behaviour change related to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation
• encourage practices that reduce the risk of HIV and AIDS infections

Participation and integration

• promote the rights of the child
• encourage the participation of children and youth in all decisions affecting them
  build alliances with local organisations
• strengthen cross-border cultural activities involving Haitian and Dominican children and youth

Institutional development support

• influence initiatives that strengthen the capacity of local government institutions, key local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations
• help local NGOs to best serve community organisations
• encourage partners to diversify their resources and to use more non-Plan funds

Household economic security

• improve the economic security of households in Plan Haiti’s work areas
• improve access to sustainable financial services for the poor
• improve access to vocational training for youth.

Progress

Our programmes are making a real difference. For example, Plan has supported public awareness activities targeting street children, child servants and disabled children.

With our help, 300 children from 50 clubs in the 3 areas that we work in have launched a ‘national forum’ to ensure that child protection is a daily commitment.

As part of our risk and disaster preparedness policy, Plan has supported the training of 2 communal civil protection committees and has provided first-hand materials to municipalities.

Youth camps held in the Dominican Republic and Haiti have promoted harmonious relations through cultural exchanges based on mutual understanding.

* Please note, a new strategic plan is being developed to reflect the changing needs of Haiti’s communities after the January 2010 earthquake and the cholera outbreak and will be approved no later than January 2012.