West Programme Unit
Parents and children leaving a Plan early childhood care and development centre in Camp Corail
Population: 227,012
Areas of operation: Croix-des-Bouquets, Dolney, Beudet, Freres
Sponsored children: 9,800
Plan Haiti’s West Programme Unit is centred in Croix-des-Bouquets, 12 km north-east of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. It is on a low plain where many people grow organic foods such as beans, sweet potato and corn. Plan has worked in the area since 1976.
Community health
Following the 2010 earthquake that devastated Croix-des-Bouquets, Plan has worked with local health partners to provide essential health services to displaced people, especially children under 5, pregnant and lactating women, adolescents and vulnerable people.
We have also provided necessary drugs, medical equipment and training for health workers in Camp Corail, one of the largest resettlement camps.
Cholera prevention and treatment
We have established and trained health brigades of community volunteers to deliver cholera prevention and treatment programmes. They refer infected people to local treatment units for rapid dehydration, disinfect homes and latrines of infected people and organise awareness-raising activities.
Plan has established local cholera treatment centres and distributed special hygiene kits to prevent the spread of the epidemic. We have also created hygiene committees to train communities in how to treat water and disinfect latrines.
HIV and AIDS support
Plan supports Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel (Rainbow House), a Haitian non-governmental organisation that operates a residence for children orphaned by HIV and AIDS, an outreach centre for families affected by HIV and AIDS and a community programme providing education, training and support.
They also provide emotional first-aid support to the many children who lost family members in the earthquake.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Plan is responsible for water and sanitation in 8 camps - constructing water points, public toilets and family latrines, as well as raising awareness of hygiene issues.
We ensure regular sanitation work and cleaning through cash for work teams. Community campaigns are helping to improve hygiene practices and reduce the risk of infection.
Child protection and life skills training
Plan supports the Centre of Actions for Development (CAD), a group home and educational centre for former street children, domestics and orphans. The staff provide the children with schooling, psychosocial - or emotional first-aid - support and life skills training. They also help track down missing family members. Plan trains the staff in child rights, hygiene promotion and anti-child trafficking awareness.
After the earthquake Plan installed 15 child-friendly spaces where children can participate in regular activities and regain a sense of normalcy. Children are monitored for signs of distress, and trained Plan staff offer psychosocial support.
Transitional shelters
Transitional shelters are providing safe homes for 100 families
Plan has provided safe transitional shelter for 100 displaced families and the project is indirectly benefiting 500 people with easy access to water facilities and sanitation.
We are also training youth in income generating activities to foster economic recovery.
Quality education
Plan has built 70 earthquake-resistant classrooms to accommodate 3,500 pupils and has trained teachers in psychosocial support, disaster risk reduction, child protection, health and hygiene promotion.
We are restoring education and early childhood services for 3-5 year olds that were affected by the earthquake; and are contributing to the restructuring of community school systems.
Youth media clubs
Plan supports children’s and youth media clubs which produce film and radio programming that spreads important messages about child rights and cholera prevention.
Watch video produced by youth on Plan Haiti's YouTube channel.
In February 2011, youths from these clubs were invited by the Haitian government to speak on a panel at the Forum for the Decentralisation of Haiti.
Household economic security
Plan partners with the microfinance institution Fonkoze* which helps people complete their financial transactions and supports women’s microcredit groups. With the small loans they receive and financial tutoring they can start or expand small businesses to better support their families.
Disaster risk reduction
Plan runs disaster risk reduction training programmes to reduce the impact of natural disaster on communitie., We also train evaluators and community members in shelter installation and distribution of emergency kits.
Read about and support Plan’s Haiti recovery work
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