HAITI: One Year Later

Plant With Purpose, a nonprofit working internationally to reverse poverty and

deforestation among the rural poor, began providing agricultural and economic HAITI FAST FACTS
assistance to several communities south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1997. Since then, Pre-Earthquake Haiti
Plant With Purpose’s local, indigenous staff has partnered with 67 communities in
86% of people in rural communities
three different regions, and has established a program that empowers rural farmers to • live on less than $2 per day.
improve their land through reforestation and agroforestry efforts, provide for their (UNDP)
families by starting small, sustainable businesses, and transform their lives by • 97% of all land is deforested,
overcoming poverty. leading to increased risk of
The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 has been a catastrophe of flooding, erosion and mudslides.
unimaginable proportions. Hundreds of thousands of families lost homes, income (UNICEF)
• Only 1 in every 50 Haitians has a
sources, and loved ones. Fleeing the ruins of Port au Prince, thousands of families
steady, wage-earning job.
migrated to the countryside in search of food, shelter, and work. As a result, household (UNICEF)
sizes in rural villages increased dramatically, often doubling or tripling the number of
people per household, placing an immeasurable burden on families who were already Haiti Earthquake: January 2010
struggling to survive. • Increase in family size between 10
to 12 members per household three
Plant With Purpose quickly responded with a relief and recovery program that months after the earthquake.
included immediate food aid, road clearing, seed distribution, and a short-term Household sizes in 2011 still remain
employment program. As a result, desperate families were provided with food to eat higher than pre-earthquake levels
and jobs to support themselves while engaging in productive, restorative work that will (Floresta Ayiti Rapid Assessment)
have lasting benefits for the land, their families, and their communities. • 52% of households are food-
insecure; one-third of households
have lost their entire food supply.
(Haiti Earthquake Post-Disaster
Needs Assessment)
• An influx of displaced people into
rural areas puts an unprecedented
level of strain on rural households,
decreasing their standard of living
and leaving them more vulnerable to
external shocks such as sudden price
increases. (FAO)
• The earthquake leaves 222,570 dead
and 300,572 injured. (Govt. of
Haiti)
Post-Earthquake Haiti 2011:
The Struggle to Recover
• The socio-economic situation
remains dire, with more than one
million people still displaced.
• As of mid-December 2010, a
cholera outbreak had claimed more
than 2,100 lives, with some 47,000
persons hospitalized.
“By providing work and opportunities in the countryside, Plant With Purpose is
• The Interim Haiti Recovery
providing a healthier alternative to the crowded and dangerous tent camps that Commission is in place to develop
choke Port au Prince,” said Plant With Purpose Executive Director, Scott Sabin. and refine Haiti’s development
“Since the earthquake, we have seen an increase in the interest in our programs plans, assessing needs and gaps for
from IDPs (Internally Displaced People) and other communities, and we hope to investment and ensuring that the
expand our efforts. We will continue to work with rural Haitians long-term to implementation of plans is
reverse the vicious cycle of poverty and deforestation permanently through coordinated, effective and
reforestation projects, soil conservation efforts, and savings and loan groups.” transparent.

4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215, San Diego, CA 92117 • 800.633.5319 • info@plantwithpurpose.org • www.plantwithpurpose.org
THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Raised over $1 million for immediate relief efforts
• Distributed over 250,000 pounds of rice to 5,500
beneficiaries
• Distributed over 107 tons of local corn and bean seeds to
rural communities
• Provided tools to over 6,000 farmers to plant crops to feed
their families
• Employed 4,300 people through a “Cash for Work” program
to plant over 240,000 trees and construct over 360 miles of
soil conservation barriers
KEY PARTNERS
Plant With Purpose partnered with the United Nations, the
Emergency Response Relief Fund, World Relief, Geneva
Global, Project 7 and numerous churches, corporations, and
individuals to bring relief to earthquake victims.
“There is still hope in Haiti. There is still opportunity in
Haiti. All you have to do is look into the eyes of the men,
women and children whose resilience over the past months
has inspired the world,” said Cheryl Mills, Counselor and
Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
ACCOUNTABILITY
100% of the funds raised for relief and recovery efforts have
been sent directly to the field to help families in need.
IMPACT
Plant With Purpose’s comprehensive relief and recovery
project provided food for desperate families to eat, bean seed
for farmers to plant, and short-term employment for
community members and their displaced visitors to earn
income to support themselves. As a result, families
experienced improved health and increased incomes as they
recovered from the devastating earthquake and worked to
rebuild their communities even stronger.
• The temporary employment of 4,300 individuals increased
family food security and community stability.
• Crop seeds enabled families to meet their household staple
needs and also generate income by sale of crops to the
market. This increased food security in rural communities
and provided food to be exported to urban areas.
• Planting trees and applying soil conservation techniques has
decreased soil vulnerability while increasing farm
productivity and tree cover.

TESTIMONY
Edzer is a farmer from the Bwanef group who has benefitted from Plant With Purpose’s soil conservation program. He has
worked with Plant With Purpose since 1997, and he says that the group has helped him with a lot of things. They have showed
him how to protect his land with ramps, soil conservation, and many other techniques, as well as how to plant trees and create
nurseries.
Following the January 12th earthquake, Edzer became involved in Plant With Purpose’s “Cash for Work” program. With the
cash he is making from this program, he said he is able to get a bit of food to feed his family. Edzer says that planting trees and
protecting the land is the most important thing he can do following the earthquake. In February he was given bean seed to plant,
and he is already starting to see the first harvest!
“For those who support Plant With Purpose, I want to say a big thank you,” said Edzer.
LOOKING FORWARD
Now, one year after the quake, families are seeking to make the transition to a more
stable situation. There is a pressing need for increased food security and reliable
income opportunities, especially as thousands permanently relocate from crumbled
Port au Prince to rural areas. As Haiti rebuilds, there is great need and opportunity to
address the root causes of problems that have long plagued the country, such as
miserable poverty, widespread hunger, and massive unemployment. While the progress
is encouraging, there is still so much more to be done.
In the year ahead, with a funding goal of $235,000, Plant With Purpose will build
upon its success and continue to assist Haitian families as they make the transition to a
more stable situation and work to build a brighter future for their families.
HELP US TO...
• Empower rural farmers to plant 100,000 trees across 10 microwatersheds
• Protect 500 farms and construct 37 miles of anti-erosion barriers to prevent soil loss and landslides
• Distribute 400 drinking water sanitation systems and educate community members about the dangers of cholera
• Train 1,000 farmers on topics such as soil conservation, reforestation, fruit tree grafting, composting, and veterinary care
• Conduct 148 training sessions on accounting and financial management in savings and loan groups
• Equip local churches to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their communities
Plant With Purpose invites you to join us as we partner with 72 Haitian communities to transform their lives and land.

4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215, San Diego, CA 92117 • 800.633.5319 • info@plantwithpurpose.org • www.plantwithpurpose.org