Responding to the Crisis in Haiti

Synergos has received many requests from a number of our network members for information about how best to respond to the disaster in Haiti, caused by the recent earthquake and exacerbated by longstanding conditions there. The general wisdom has been to “send money, not supplies” and to rely upon organizations with strong local connections.

To give some context to the long-term challenges faced by the people of Haiti and those looking to support them, we should like to refer you to an op-ed piece in the Miami Herald, entitled “Building Back Better” written by Dr. Paul Farmer of Harvard Medical School and Partners in Health.

Paul spoke to members of the Global Philanthropists Circle in 2007, and his organization, Partners in Health, is one that Synergos would highly recommend for contributions to address Haiti’s long-term recovery.

Partners in Health (www.pih.org) has been working in Haiti for many years, cost-effectively deploying resources for public-health and empowering the local population to take more ownership with greater skills to address their health and sanitation problems.

Below are other organizations whose work, expertise, and effectiveness make them worthy recipients of your support. Among them is the BrandAid Project, supported by GPC Member Ben Goldhirsh, which works with community artisans in Port au Prince and Jakmel. Through BrandAid, you can shop from local artisans now and help support earthquake response.

Organizations Working for Relief and Recovery in Haiti

For Donors in Africa