The earthquake that hit Haiti on12 January 2010 took the lives of over 220 000 people and made 1,5 million people homeless. Humanitarian organisations carried out history’s most speedy and most extensive emergency relief operation in a single country. Several hundred thousand people received medical treatment, emergency shelter, food and water during the first three months.

By the end of 2012 Norway will fulfill its economic commitments in accordance with what was promised in New York in 2010 after the earthquake. In total Norway will pay out 822 241 million NOK out of which just above 200 million NOK have been used for humanitarian aid.

The Norwegian assistance has produced visible and positive outcomes in many priority areas such as governance and dialogue, prevention of natural disasters, clean energy and health. Norway’s involvement has a clear focus on long-term bolstering of the democratic structure and institutions in addition to dialogue between political groups and inclusion of women in decision-making processes, at both local and national levels.

Democracy promotion

Haiti has a great need for confidence building and strengthening of political parties and democratic structures. IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) is now in place in Haiti with Norwegian financing. IDEA will mainly contribute to bolstering political representation and participation and enhancing the ability of the political parties to play a constructive role in the political system. Norway is also working closely with National Democratic Institute (NDI) which supports active participation of the local communities in the country’s rebuilding and development outside the capital city.

In the Interim Commission which was responsible for Haiti’s rebuilding after the earthquake Norway actively worked to have the women’s perspective integrated in the rebuilding process. Norway is still working closely with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the country.

Norway is further supporting the five female parliamentarians in the House of Representatives which has a total of 99 members. They are now in the process of setting up a structure which will work to include and support women outside the capital city who wish to become politically active.

Norway is also supporting the Haitian non-government organisation Femmes en Démocratie (FED) which works for capacity building in relation to female leaders and women’s organisations.

Bolstering the police

Sexualised violence is a problem in Haiti. Through a number of projects, including a Norwegian team of five police counsellors to MINUSTAH, Norway is working to bolster the work of the Haitian police in this area.
In collaboration with the government a major initiative is under way in southern Haiti. This assistance is provided in accordance with the action plan for rebuilding after the earthquake. The focus for Norwegian aid is sustainable management of natural resources, prevention of natural disasters and facilitation of private investments in renewable energy.

Norway is also involved in the so-called South-South cooperation and supports the Cuban health brigades as well as the Brazilian organisation Viva Rio which works in the poorest parts of the city of Port au Prince.