Random Quotes

“Before I just worked doing sewing. Now I am able to raise different animals and plants, trees and fruits. Now I have a little garden. Before I didn’t know how to do any of this work. The only thing I don’t have now is time to do all I want to do.”

— Emma

Haiti

Haiti

Population: 8,773,138
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Life expectancy: 53 years
GNI per capita: $400
Literacy: 52%
Under 5s mortality: 117 per 1000 live births
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. 80% of the population live below the poverty line, with 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on agriculture mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and are very vulnerable to the devastation from frequent natural disasters including hurricanes and floods. This situation is exacerbated by widespread deforestation and damaging trade conditions imposted on Haiti. Under funding conditions imposed by the IMF and World Bank, 60% of the economy is dependent on international aid. The international community, not Haiti, has profited from the opportunities for investment. During the 1990s Haiti was forced to remove import tariffs on basic foodsuffs. Their rice market was flooded with US subsidised rice. Local growers couldn’t compete. Previously a net exporter, Haiti now imports 82% its rice consumption and spends 80% of export earnings on food.

Our work

CWS works with one partner focusing on:

  • Income generation
  • Community education
  • Training
  • Strengthening of local organisations to ftake part fully in civil society and democracy

Peasant organisations and communities are assisted to identify their own problems and solutions and supported to carry out these strategies.

Our partner

ICKL (Institute Culturel Karl Leveque) See their website (in French).

ICKL reports on Achievements in 2012 and critiques the international aid effort.