As aftershocks from last week’s earthquake continue to shake Haiti, Vital
WOMEN: Their Voices - Vital to Haiti's future.
Voices remains in constant contact with members of our network throughout the country. We feel blessed that the women in our network are safe, but of course they have lost friends, family members, and their homes. Yet even in this difficult time, they have not lost hope.
Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson and Senior Program Officer for Latin America & the Caribbean Eugenia Podesta traveled to Haiti just six weeks ago to stand with our network as they celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Vital Voices Chapter, Femmes en Democratie. As we were recently reminded, and have seen firsthand, Femmes en Democratie has been a source of energy and strength, bringing women together across the lines that typically divide. It has been the women of Haiti who have held the fabric of their society together through conflict and poverty. Even now, as they struggle through one of the worst natural disasters in the region, women are once again demonstrating the remarkable courage and resilience that has made them such a powerful force for positive change in their nation.
As you know, Vital Voices is not a relief organization, and in this time of urgent need for food, water, and medical supplies, we are directing supporters to contribute to the Red Cross and Plan International. Our network in Haiti suggests donating to either of these organizations.
WOMEN: Their Voices - Vital to Haiti's future.
Just 24 hours after the earthquake hit, Danielle Saint-Lot, a co-founder of our Chapter in Haiti, contacted us to discuss not only immediate relief efforts, but the future role of women, who must be central to the long-term reconstruction efforts in Haiti. We are now in the process of coordinating with members of our Haitian network to identify long-term relief efforts and determine how Vital Voices can best support those efforts. We hope that you will stand with us as we stand in solidarity with the women of Haiti.
For more words from Danielle, and to support urgent relief efforts, please visit the section devoted to Haiti on our website.