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Church World Service Haiti 3 year plan July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016 Progress report July 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014 "A leaking house fools the sun, but cannot fool the rain." This was the theme of a housing conference co-organised by Church World Service and held in Washington DC on November 24, 2014. Five years after the earthquake, CWS continues to advocate for dignified housing not only for all those affected by the earthquake, but for any Haitian citizen in general. Words are put into action by supporting a housing and community development programme in Ganthier/Boen, where 37 new, solid houses were built over the past year and people are able to make a living thanks to access to seeds, goats, chicken and microcredit. CWS believes in accompanying the Haitian people to gain autonomy and to be able to provide for their daily needs. To that end, CWS supports food security programmes in the Northwest department, providing microcredit, agricultural training, improving access to water, and supporting income-generating community projects such as community stores and bakeries. Child protection is another pillar of CWS work in Haiti. A Protocol for Prevention of Child Domesticity and Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children was completed and discussed at regional forums in all departments. CWS also supports a research on the situation of child domestic servitude in Haiti that is coordinated by UNICEF and that will help to inform and guide future efforts in favour of Haitian children. Five years after the earthquake the question has risen about 'where all the donated money went' and what the impact was. CWS advocated for and applauds the passing of the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act by US Congress and supports a shadow report of a national human rights platform to the government of Haiti anti-corruption self assessment. Within CWS, an internal study is being completed to document impact and identify lessons learned of the house repair and livelihoods support programme for disabled people. Church World Service continues to stand next to its partners and the people of Haiti, who show that 'many hands make light work'. Margot de Greef Country Representative Haiti Church World Service Church World Service USA 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115 Church World Service Haiti 5, Impasse Morency Puits Blain 3 Route des Frères Pétion-Ville www.cwsglobal.org www.cwslac.org Any questions or comments about this report may be directed to Donna Derr, Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program Director, [email protected] A member of

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Page 1: Church World Service - CWScwsglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/cws-haiti-july... · 2016-09-29 · Church World Service Haiti Report / July 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014 3 Food

Church World Service

Haiti 3 year plan July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016 Progress report July 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014

"A leaking house fools the sun, but cannot fool the rain." This was the theme of a housing conference co-organised by Church World Service and held in Washington DC on November 24, 2014. Five years after the earthquake, CWS continues to advocate for dignified housing not only for all those affected by the earthquake, but for any Haitian citizen in general. Words are put into action by supporting a housing and community development programme in Ganthier/Boen, where 37 new, solid houses were built over the past year and people are able to make a living thanks to access to seeds, goats, chicken and microcredit. CWS believes in accompanying the Haitian people to gain autonomy and to be able to provide for their daily needs. To that end, CWS supports food security programmes in the Northwest department, providing microcredit, agricultural training, improving access to water, and supporting income-generating community projects such as community stores and bakeries. Child protection is another pillar of CWS work in Haiti. A Protocol for Prevention of Child Domesticity and Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children was completed and discussed at regional forums in all departments. CWS also supports a research on the situation of child domestic servitude in Haiti that is coordinated by UNICEF and that will help to inform and guide future efforts in favour of Haitian children. Five years after the earthquake the question has risen about 'where all the donated money went' and what the impact was. CWS advocated for and applauds the passing of the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act by US Congress and supports a shadow report of a national human rights platform to the government of Haiti anti-corruption self assessment. Within CWS, an internal study is being completed to document impact and identify lessons learned of the house repair and livelihoods support programme for disabled people. Church World Service continues to stand next to its partners and the people of Haiti, who show that 'many hands make light work'. Margot de Greef Country Representative Haiti Church World Service

Church World Service USA 475 Riverside Drive

New York, NY 10115

Church World Service Haiti 5, Impasse Morency

Puits Blain 3 Route des Frères

Pétion-Ville

www.cwsglobal.org www.cwslac.org

Any questions or comments about this report may be directed to Donna Derr,

Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Program Director, [email protected]

A member of

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Church World Service Haiti Report / July 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014 2

Introduction

When the 3 year earthquake response period of CWS Haiti ended on June 30, 2013, CWS Haiti started implementation of a new 3 year plan, a follow-up to its existing programmes which are all implemented by local partner organisations. This report gives an overview of progress of the different components of the 3 year plan, halfway its implementation, including:

Food security in the Northwest region o Support to 12 agricultural cooperatives in Northwest and Artibonite with SKDE o Food security programme with ADRUH in Lacoma

Child protection o Grassroots advocacy on child domestic servitude with ASR o School repair and construction with ASR o Small grants fund for child protection

Education programme and awareness raising on child domestic servitude with FOPJ

Support to research by Fafo; Analysis of the situation of child domesticity in Haiti

Support to children affected by constitutional ruling 168/13 in Dominican Republic with Caminante

Emergency recovery, preparedness and response o Housing and community development in Ganthier/Boen with SSID o Study on impact of housing and livelihoods programme for disabled people with

SCH

Advocacy o Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to call for increased attention of the US

government to internal and cross border child trafficking and child labour in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

o Aid accountability Support to shadow report of RNDDH to the government of Haiti anti-

corruption self assessment o Support to two researches of SSID on availability of information, accompaniment

offered, characterisation of and impact on those affected by the constitutional ruling 168/13 rendering Dominicans of foreign descent stateless

o Participation at Haitian-Dominican Consultation Commission o Housing conference in Washington DC to restart a dialogue between government

and civil society institutions and to call for a sustainable plan to address housing in Haiti

ACT Alliance Haiti collaboration

CWS staff and office

Finances

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Food security in the Northwest region

Highlights

3 demonstration/vegetable gardens started with technical support of newly hired agricultural technician

Strengthened communities' ability to cope with natural disasters, as a result of training on management of risks, disasters, and the environment for 251 members of 12 cooperatives

Strengthening of cooperatives' ability to identify community needs and set up community projects, through training on small projects management attended by 35 leaders from 12 cooperatives

Increased knowledge and understanding about importance of democracy and its practical implications, such as during elections, through training for 270 leaders from 12 cooperatives

Exchange visit of 3 programme representatives and community leaders to Dominican Republic to attend a conference and learn from agriculture work of Dominican partner

Strengthened financial accountability of cooperatives by opening of bank accounts at credit unions

More food secure lives, thanks to microcredit provided to 3,128 members of 12 cooperatives

Implementation of 3 community projects addressing community needs: 2 community stores and 1 bakery

Completion of the construction of 4 new cooperative buildings, benefitting 1,467 members, with a 5th under construction for 784 members

Increased access to water through construction of 12 family water cisterns

Implementation of 12 vegetable gardens Context In February 2014, the National Coordination for Food Security (Coordination Nationale de la Sécurité Alimentaire; CNSA) published an 'Evaluation of the situation of food security in the lower Northwest'. This evaluation showed a deterioration of the food security situation in the Northwest department, especially in the communes of Baie-de-Henne, Bombardopolis, Jean Rabel and Mole St Nicolas. CNSA observed an increase in food insecurity and chronic poverty, mainly related to drought. CWS Haiti identified food security in the Northwest as a priority for the course of the current three year plan. CWS works with two Haitian partner organisations in the Northwest, specifically in the communes identified by CNSA as struggling with food insecurity. Coop strengthening CWS supports 9 agricultural cooperatives located in the Northwest and 3 in the Artibonite department through local partner organisation SKDE (Sant Kretyen pou Devlopman Entegre/Christian Centre for Integrated Development), partly with funds from Foods Resource Bank. All 12 cooperatives together count 5,323 members. A new agricultural technician was hired in 2014, a member of one of the cooperatives who will be working with the 9 cooperatives located in the Northwest. The agricultural technician accompanies farmers in the challenges and needs they meet in the area of agriculture (gardens,

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animal breeding), in order to increase their economic capacities. He also addresses environmental problems and natural disasters. With support of the agricultural technician cooperatives strive to increase agricultural production, enabling them to take care of their families, education needs, health, housing, etc. During the first months the agricultural technician has started to work with three cooperatives on a 'demonstration garden'; a vegetable garden planted on land made available by the cooperatives. The cooperative committees are responsible for planting, caring and harvesting. They will plant tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, etc. These products will be both for consumption and for sales. The profits will be for the cooperative. In 2014, all 12 cooperatives opened a bank account at a credit union, an effort to strengthen the cooperatives, protect members, and improve administration and accounting principles. As a result, grants to the cooperatives are now made directly to the bank accounts of the cooperatives. Up to 2013, each cooperative received an equal amount of agricultural credit ($ 1,000) and commercial credit ($ 2,000), but starting 2014 the amounts provided differ per cooperative, depending on their activities, level of development, and the number of members. These measures are taken as a follow-up to both internal and external recommendations. CWS grants for agricultural credit range between $ 500 and $ 1,500 per cooperative, while grants for commercial credit range between $ 1,500 and $ 2,500. In October 2014, a total of 1,257 members profited from agricultural credit, while 1,871 members had a commercial microloan. The women use their loans to make and sell food products, cleaning supplies, or any other household products. Earnings are invested in child education, house construction, and used to provide for other daily needs. A new component of the Northwest programme in 2014 was the support to community-led projects, responding to a community need identified by the individual cooperatives and contributing to income generation.

In addition to agricultural techniques and training provided by the agricultural technician, other specific trainings were held on management of risks, disasters, and the environment; identifying and setting up community projects; and democratic practices. A delegation of 3 people from SKDE and cooperatives participated in an exchange visit to the Dominican Republic to attend a conference related to agriculture and learn from agriculture work coordinated by CWS partner and ACT Alliance member Servicio Social de Iglesias Dominicanas.

Bakery Among the 975 members of cooperative KRCLJ there are many who sell bread for a living. It has been a huge task to build a bakery in the community. The materials; rocks, sand, straw to cover the roof, water all had to come from far. Coop members, other inhabitants, and students all worked together to carry the materials to Lamontay, walking up and down the mountains, in the hot sun.

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Community stores Cooperative CRPB, Plaine d'Orange/ Bombardopolis, (410 members) has seen an increase in clients over the past months. The store is located at the office building and open from Monday to Saturday. It is the only store in the area. CRPB sells food products and drinks. Especially the cold drinks sell a lot. CRPB purchased a freezer and solar panels to be able to provide these cold drinks to the population. Earnings from the store are enough to re-buy when the stock is low, usually once a month. Purchases take place in Port-au-Prince. With the profits, CRPB is building a latrine. Having a community store means less risk for community members, who had to travel far to get to the closest store, which entails risks of traffic accidents and burglary. The proximity of the store saves time and money and it raises income for the community. Total expenses: $ 6,325 Cooperative KOFEJ (Beldoren/Jean Rabel) serves its 475 members and surroundings by selling wholesale. Their inventory includes rice, flower, oil, beans, corn, sugar, spaghetti, soap, washing powder, maggi, sardines, ketchup, peppers, tomato paste, garlic, etc. Total expenses: $ 6,245

On the first day the bakery produced bread, there was happiness in Lamontay. Bread is a first necessity for them. "I dance, I am happy. We used to leave at midnight, walking in the dark and danger, on narrow and bad roads, in rain and sun," says Gelina Predestin, one of the women who used to bake their bread in bakeries far away. Now there is bread to feed the children in the morning, 'the biggest blessing God could have given us'. "What we have built is something sustainable, that will be left behind for our children," adds Alase Naissance. Elizia Saintilus, pictured, explains: "We used to go to Baie-de-Henne or Do Dan, we spent 3 days away to bake bread, we couldn't find a place, once someone bit me in my hand, I had to go to justice. Now I dance, but we also worked hard to get this far." Total expenses: $ 6,605

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4 more community projects have been approved; KOEB (310 members, Baie-de-Henne), KED (569 members, Dupre) and KABM (327 members, Corail) all identified a community store as a priority. For KOEB and KABM this is a new activity, while KED already runs a store, but wants to increase its inventory. Each of the three cooperatives will receive $ 5,000 for their community store. KPPG, counting 398 members and located in Ti Rivyè Glasy, used to have a well-functioning bakery. Since the oven collapsed, however, their bakery has been out of order. They therefore identified rebuilding the bakery as a priority. Budget: $ 5,825. In 2010, CWS started the construction of office buildings with the cooperatives. Since 2013, four more office buildings were constructed, at a budget of $ 17,000 US each:

KOEB, Baie-de-Henne: 310 members

KPPG, Ti Rivyè Glasy: 398 members

KEPK, Kolen/La Reserve: 506 members

KOKAS, Citerne Remy: 253 members

All 9 cooperatives located in the Northwest department now have a 3 room, concrete block building available. KOKAS was the last of the 9 cooperatives to build an office in the Northwest. Not only did they purchase land for this construction, as part of the community contribution, but the construction process also showed once again the strength of working together; members of the cooperative actively participated to build a space that will be useful for all of them. While the

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men were digging a foundation for the office, women carried concrete blocks on their head from the school to the construction site. Even pregnant women walked back and forth with a block, some women with two blocks. The first office to be built in the Artibonite is currently under construction. The land is being prepared for construction at KAMM in Mayonbe/Pendu, Gros Morne, with 784 members. Transportation of materials is very challenging in Mayonbe, which is located at the top of a mountain that can only be reached by foot. This means that all materials need to be carried up the mountain, again an impressive example of solidarity and community building. The offices will contribute to strengthened institutional capacities and offer services to both cooperative members and the communities at large. The buildings will function as a shelter in case of natural disasters such as hurricanes, which often cause damage to the houses in the communities, taking away roofs and leaving people exposed to rain and sun. Members will now have their own meeting space rather than having to use church buildings. The offices will serve as a multi-functional space, depending on needs and opportunities of the community; hosting trainings, storing documents, belongings, seeds, medicines, or opening a community store. Total expenses coop strengthening during the reporting period: $ 349,294

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New food security programming In July 2014, CWS started a partnership with ADRUH, Association for Rural Development of Haiti, located in Lacoma. The goal of the partnership is to improve food security and livelihoods of 42 farmer families in Lacoma. More specifically, this collaboration contributes to the improvement of the organisational and institutional capacities of the 10 local associations that ADRUH works with, increase of soil fertility, increase of access to water, revitalising small businesses, and increasing tree coverage. ADRUH works in the 1st and 2nd sections of the commune of Jean Rabel: Lacoma (Lacoma, Fond Lectune, Derriere Morne, Morne Rond) and Guinaudee (Bouflette, Guillette). This is a semi-arid, dry area, which combined with the results of deforestation has made water a scarce resource in the community. In all of Lacoma there is only one water source and no rivers. When there is no rain, there is no water. People walk far to get water to drink or to give to their animals. When it does rain, they store water in barrels and buckets. "Water is life, with water harvests are good, food can be prepared, water is the most popular drink."

ADRUH works through groups/associations in their different areas of intervention. The associations proposed names for beneficiaries of the cisterns, based on a set of criteria. ADRUH visited the proposed participants and made the final decision.

Next to the cisterns, vegetable gardens are being planted, watered from the cisterns. So far, people planted mostly corn, beans, manioc, sweet potatoes, plantains, etc. Planting vegetables requires a different technique and more importantly; more water. ADRUH has a strong team of agricultural technicians and agronomists, two of whom were hired specifically to accompany the families participating in the programme. They organised two training sessions on techniques of production and value of vegetable gardens. The technicians work with the farmers on planting techniques, but also on applying soil conservation techniques and forage production, to increase soil fertility. The technicians have also assisted the families to prepare two holes near their house: one for compost and one for non-decomposable materials. The compost is made

In order to increase access to water and cope with drought, CWS and ADRUH completed construction of 12 family cisterns to store rain water. The cisterns are built with concrete blocks, connected through a pipeline system to tin roofs of a neighbouring house, thus catching rain water. 2 training sessions were held on management and use of water, discussing topics such as the importance of water, use and management of water as a rare resource, treating water, etc. "May God pour His blessings on ADRUH to continue to let water sources flow in the community," was the remark of Exalon Exinor, one of the beneficiaries.

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in a hole rather than above the ground, since they do not want to encourage deforestation; cutting down trees to create a space of branches for the pile of compost. The second hole is filled with materials that cannot be naturally decomposed, which are burned from time to time. The compost will be used for fertilisation of vegetable gardens and small forests. Cutting trees to make charcoal has become a big source of income for people to respond to social and economic needs. Although lack of water makes tree nurseries difficult, people find planting trees very important because they protect them against rain, wind and sun, prevent erosion, they are a source of nutrition and income, the leaves create compost, etc. Therefore, the programme also includes, over a course of 2 years, growing 9,000 fruit and 6,000 forest trees in tree nurseries, which will be transplanted onto the land prepared for this purpose. So far, 3 community tree nurseries have been prepared, in 3 different localities. The participants decide which trees they would like to plant, while the technicians accompany them with technical advices on what grows best in the area and how to plant and take care of the trees. These are produced and planted close to the cisterns, again to use the water supply from the cisterns. The agricultural technicians and beneficiaries jointly fenced land (with bushes) designated for the production of the trees, as well as planting of the vegetables, in order to prevent animals from getting onto the land. Small scale commerce/sales is the activity practiced by most people in the community, which keeps the family going throughout the year. The majority of people borrow at high interest rates and do not know much about managing a business. However, they consider a small business an obligation to respond to the needs of their families. ADRUH wants to revitalise commercial activities by providing credit to 3 mutual solidarity groups of 10 people, to strengthen their ability to make a living, at a decent interest rate that will not destroy the business nor put the borrowers in debt or at risk of losing their house or properties.

All preparations take place in collaboration with members of the associations; people get together to work on the land of the participants. The 2 accompanying technicians are with each family on a weekly basis. They studied at Ecole d'Entreprenariat Agricole du Nord-Ouest (ECENANO) and had previous experience with ADRUH as interns. Two monitors were hired to ensure awareness raising, motivation and continuing implementation on the field. Beneficiaries have participated largely in all phases of these activities. It is very encouraging to see a team of

young, promising technicians who are from the Northwest and studied in the Northwest, who really want to change their communities for the best, from their part by improving agricultural production, not only by accompanying families, but also by setting an example. ADRUH, its staff and participants embody a vision to change and transform the environment where they live. Total expenses new food security programming during the reporting period: $ 99,841

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Children's protection Highlights

Protocol for the Prevention of Child Domesticity and Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children completed

16 regional forums held in 9 departments

201 organisations committed to adhesion of the Protocol

Protocol translated into Creole

Documentary put together, explaining role and importance of Protocol

Petition letter submitted to President of Haiti, requesting November 17 to be officially recognised as the national day against restavèk system

Ecumenical service commemorating the national day against restavèk system attended by 725 children on November 17, 2014

Regional and international relations of ASR strengthened through exchange with Caminante, a CWS partner in child protection work in the Dominican Republic

Completion of four school repairs and expansions, benefitting 1,288 children

Participation at technical committee supervising 'Analysis of the situation of child domesticity in Haiti', a research led by Fafo

CWS child protection officer position created and filled as of November 1, 2014 Context In June 2014, President Martelly announced the adoption of an anti-trafficking law in Haiti. This is a big step forward in protection of children forced into domestic servitude, which is considered a form of internal trafficking. In August of the same year, the Ministry of Education announced 12 measures to be implemented in order to improve quality of education and governance of the education system1. During a transition period of two years, all unlicensed teachers of private and community schools (approximately 85% of Haiti's school system) will be required to reach a level of training to qualify as teachers, which will grant them the right to a permanent permit to teach, that will need to be renewed every 5 years. The government plan is a positive initiative that can be beneficial in the long term in the struggle against the restavèk2 system. If the quality of education increases in rural communities, there will hopefully be less incentive for parents to agree to let their children live with other families in bigger cities. On November 20, child protection advocates celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. CWS attended the main event, organised by the Institute of Social Wellbeing and Research (IBESR) and the Ministry of Social Affairs, with support of international organisations. UNICEF broadcasted the event online. It was an occasion to raise awareness of not just the population of Haiti, but also of the world about the situation of child protection in Haiti.

1 http://menfp.gouv.ht/Douze%20mesures%20majeures.html 2 Restavèk = 'to stay with', a term used to refer to children who live with families other than their parents; often these children are from families from rural areas, who have been promised good education and care for their children, which are usually false promises; the children play the role of free household servants, having to fetch water and take care of all household tasks, being denied access to education and other basic rights, sometimes also suffering from abuse.

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The Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies from Norway is in the process of carrying out an "Analysis of the situation of child domesticity in Haiti", another effort to raise awareness about the current situation, supported with accurate data, and a tool to inform and guide future efforts in favour of Haitian children. A newly hired child protection officer at CWS will contribute to increasing connections between CWS and other relevant institutions in the child protection area, including government and non-government relations. Grassroots advocacy and capacity building ASR Haiti (Down with the Restavèk System) is a network of 18 Haitian community based organisations joining forces to combat child domestic servitude, which affects a significant number of children, estimated around 300,000. The Fafo study will help to get more accurate data on the number of children affected, important information that has been missing so far. One of the barriers ASR identifies in addressing child domestic servitude is the lack of coordination between different actors: government, civil society organisations, families. In order to improve this coordination, ASR developed a 'Protocol for the Prevention of Child Domesticity and Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children'. Thanks to major funding from Equitas Group, CWS was able to increase support to ASR around the development and dissemination of the Protocol. In 2013, six departmental forums were held for validation of the Protocol and to get input on the contents. The Protocol was then presented on the occasion of November 17, national day for the abolition of child domesticity. Representatives from government, international organisations, ASR members and others participated at this activity and engaged in constructive debates for improvement and implementation of the Protocol. As a result, 45 organisations signed a form to express their engagement and willingness to adhere to the norms, principles and procedures expressed in the Protocol.

As a follow-up to the validation session held on November 15, 2013, ASR continues to make known the Protocol in order to interest actors working in the child protection area to adhere to the Protocol, that is: to sign it and integrate it in their respective strategies. The year 2014 was therefore considered a Process of Adhesion to the Protocol for the Prevention of Child Domesticity, Protection and Reintegration of Affected Children. During the months of August and September 2014, 9 forums were organised in 9 departments. A total of 400 participants attended the 9 forums, as a result of which 201 organisations working in the area of child protection accepted to adhere to the protocol. Overall, the document was received positively and seen as an important tool for increased coordination between government and non-government actors. The forums were led by the consultant of ASR who wrote the Protocol, in collaboration with the president of ASR. Each forum was also attended by two representatives from IBESR. The forums were an occasion to explain the contents of the document, share hard copies, and mobilise for adhesion to the Protocol. Each forum had a space for debates, also discussing how efforts can be coordinated and resources mobilised to combat the phenomenon of child domesticity in all of the departments; gathering the capacity and the willingness to cover all geographical areas. In the departments there was a lot of demand for a Creole version of the Protocol, which was originally written in French. To comply with this demand, the document was translated into

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Creole. In addition, a documentary was put together, explaining the role and importance of the Protocol.

November 17, 2014, the 9th annual celebration of the national day against child domestic servitude, was an occasion to think about a public policy of protection. About 100 participants representing ASR members, IBESR, the round table against child domestic servitude, IOM, UNHCR and ASR partners gathered together for a conference. There was also a good media presence of several TV channels and radio stations. The theme of this year's November 17 was "Towards a public policy of protection and of a struggle against child domesticity in Haiti". Representatives from Free the Slaves and IBESR talked about 'public policy', the importance of collaboration between government and NGOs, the need for improvement of the school system, reintegration, etc.

Celebrating November 17 with an ecumenical service at the Saint Trinity church has become a tradition. 2014 marked the 9th national day against the restavèk system. 725 children participated at the service, representing different ASR members. Their t-shirts said: "Let's use the Protocol as a tool to change the lives of restavèk children, let's do prevention, protection, and reintegration, let us work together". In 2013, CWS partner Caminante from the Dominican Republic attended the November 17 activities in Haiti. The theme of that year was: "A Haiti without restavèk children is a good sign of change."

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A petition has been submitted to the president of Haiti in order to request to officially recognise November 17 as a national day against the restavèk system. More than two hundred national institutions working on child protection signed the letter. In December 2014, four representatives of ASR travelled to the Dominican Republic, accompanied by the child protection officer of CWS, to participate in an exchange with CWS partner Caminante. This was an opportunity to learn from Caminante's work with children in Boca Chica, attend a meeting of the child protection coalition, meet with Catholic Relief Services and Centro Bono, and participate at an event in the national palace in Santo Domingo organised by the vice-president of the Dominican Republic on education of persons with physical disabilities. The goal was to strengthen capacities of ASR to participate in advocacy spaces, learn about advocacy done in the Dominican Republic and the functioning of networks. School repair and construction As a special component of the earthquake response, CWS engaged in a school construction/repair project with four ASR members. Two consultant engineers supervised the construction process.

At Solidarité pour la Bienfaisance in Pernier, Pétion-Ville, five existing classrooms were repaired and three new classrooms built, as well as toilets. One of the 298 students expressed the importance as follows: "I am so proud today, I was being humiliated when I used to come to school in the old building, because it was in a bad condition and my friends used to say: why do you go to school there, but I answered it is not the building but what they give inside that is important to me. Now I want to thank all the people who contributed to develop this space. May God bless you all."

CECODE, serving 564 students, lost a building that served as a school and orphanage, where several children died. At this same location in Bicentenaire, Port-au-Prince, a building with four new classrooms was constructed, offering students a comfortable and clean space to concentrate on their studies. Student Blondine Sanon (16) expressed the importance of the new school for them: "This is an extraordinary work. We like it here, we are comfortable and we have a clean classroom. We also have more space now, because they divided our class in two. We do our best to keep our classroom clean."

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The biggest school was built in La Reserve, the Northwest department, where community participation was considerable. ICEDNO faced its own challenges due to distance (transportation of materials) and technical capacities. At the same place where the 185 children once sat under tarps, there are now six beautiful classrooms. Before, classes were impossible when it rained, but now they have the best school of the area. It is a very different context from La Saline, with a lot of space and no insecurity, but with its own problems and challenges of a remote area with no infrastructure; hunger, malnutrition, poverty, lack of access to food, school uniforms, education materials and basic needs.

Lavi Timoun works in an extremely challenging context in La Saline, a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince with a high rate of insecurity and violence. Gang violence causes many casualties. People live in shelters made of tin roofing, hardboard, or bed sheets, unworthy of being called a house or a home. Not because of the earthquake; these circumstances already existed before then, with people living in inhumane conditions. It is in this challenging area that CWS built a new, beautiful school with five classrooms, a great resource for this neighbourhood, currently serving 241 students. Due to the gang violence and number of casualties however, parents are afraid to send their children to school, where bullet holes and graffiti have already marked the walls. Lavi Timoun offers an accelerated programme so that children who started school at a later age can finish primary school in three or four years. At the inauguration the children displayed many talents; singing, speaking and performing sketches, bringing smiles to faces of both children and adults, raising laughter and happiness in the new classroom. An example of promoting peace and justice, eradicating hunger and poverty, exactly at those places where it is most difficult, but also most needed.

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Total expenses grassroots advocacy and capacity building during the reporting period: $ 331,883 (of which $ 180,614 for school repair and construction) Small grants fund for children's protection As part of its 3 year plan, CWS Haiti included a component of small grants to fund innovation, service improvements and proven initiatives that advance child protection in Haiti. Education programme and awareness raising on child domestic servitude with FOPJ CWS supports an education programme for children living as restavèk, as well as youth from violent backgrounds and single teenage mothers, run by FOPJ (Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice). Education centres are located in Carrefour Feuilles and La Saline, offering accelerated primary schooling to 300 students, and also working with parents of the host families where the children live, to help them understand the value and rights of children. As a follow up to a pilot project of reintegration of restavèk children with their biological families in Grand Anse, FOPJ continues to monitor schooling, health and living conditions of the 21 children who returned to their families. FOPJ is a member of ASR.

"My name is Chrisna Augustin, I am in 5th grade, I am 10. I give a lot of thanks for the construction of the school, because before we were under tarps and it was very hot, we did not have water to drink, we had to go to the river to drink water, but now we feel good because we have clean water and a nice building. When it rained our books used to get wet because of the tarps, but now we are good." "My name is Francois Frito, I am 16 years old, I am in 6th grade. I am happy for what the organisation has done for us, because water and mud prevented us from working at school, but now there is a big change, we don't have to run away anymore when it rains, nor walk in the mud in the classrooms. And now we have good quality water to drink, thanks to the cisterns in the school, so we don't need to drink from the river anymore. Not all students wear the same uniform. I would like that all children have the same uniform and I ask you to help other children with shoes, bags, etc. I used to be in restavèk, but ICEDNO came to get me and now I am here."

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Fafo study: Analysis of the situation of child domesticity in Haiti As a follow-up to a research done in 2001, the Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies from Norway is carrying out an "Analysis of the situation of child domesticity in Haiti". Both CWS and ASR provided small funding to the study and are part of the technical committee supervising the study, which is coordinated by UNICEF. The research is well in progress. A draft institutional analysis and a statistical report respectively have been shared with the members of the technical committee. ASR and CWS participate at meetings of the technical committee supervising the research. The committee consists of IBESR, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and a number of national and international organisations working in the area of child protection. Over the years, there has been a lot of discussion due to lack of clear data and coordination to address the challenging issue of child domestic servitude in Haiti. This research will offer better opportunities to provide relevant responses to the issue, with the availability of clear and up-to-date information, as well as recommendations for coordinated interventions. Documents for children affected by constitutional ruling in DR with Caminante CWS partner Caminante in the Dominican Republic has been working a lot with Haitians and children of Haitians who migrated to the Boca Chica area. A large part of this group is directly affected by the constitutional court decision 168/13 and the resulting law 169/14, for regularisation of Dominicans from foreign descent. With small financial support from CWS, Caminante has been working with people born in the Dominican Republic as well as Haiti to get the required documents, especially children. They sent a list of 50 children to the Haitian embassy in order to get the documents needed from Haiti. In addition, Caminante has started to intervene in an area called 'Little Haiti', with a high concentration of Haitian families and families of Haitian descent. Total expenses small grants fund for children's protection during the reporting period: $ 36,500

Emergency recovery, preparedness and response Highlights

Completion of 18 one bedroom houses, 17 two bedroom houses, 2 three bedroom houses and 37 latrines for 196 family members

Distribution of 1,849 trees, 550 cans and 530 pounds of seeds to 215 families

Distribution of 78 goats to 65 families

Distribution of 700 chicken to 3 community enterprises

Drilling of 3 wells

Construction of 5 water cisterns

Increase of income for 97 families who received microcredit

Strengthening of capacities through trainings on gender equity, microcredit, first aid, water, hygiene and use of latrines, organic fertilisers and compost, animal breeding

Increased resilience for potential natural disasters through provision of trainings and tools for disaster risk reduction

Study held on impact of house repair and livelihood support for disabled people

No major hurricanes or emergency/disaster situations in 2013/2014

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Context Haiti is a country prone to natural disasters. More and more efforts are done in the area of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness. In addition to increasing resilience of communities to potential future disasters, CWS continues to address needs resulting from natural disasters. Housing and community development in Ganthier and Boen Church World Service and Social Service of Dominican Churches (SSID) started to work in the communities of Ganthier and Boen after the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The current programme is an integrated approach where 37 new houses were built over the past year, food security increased through distribution of plants, seeds, and animals, as well as construction of water cisterns and drilling of wells, and capacities were strengthened through trainings on different topics. The joint CWS/UMCOR/Christian Aid/ICCO project for the third phase included construction of 37 houses and latrines, for a total of 196 family members. The number of bedrooms depends on the number of family members. Out of the 37 houses, 18 have one bedroom, 17 two bedrooms, and 2 three bedrooms. The houses are made of concrete block and constructed according to earthquake and hurricane resistant standards. An engineer provided day to day supervision at the construction sites, ensuring that the houses comply with the standards. The construction of a latrine at each of the houses reduces the risk of illnesses. People are informed about hygiene issues and the correct use and maintenance of latrines. Part of the beneficiaries lost their concrete block houses in the earthquake, others were living in a mud-and-stick house that could not withstand any natural disaster, let alone a 7.0 earthquake. Several others again did not own a house before the earthquake, but lived with relatives or were renting. All of them were living in one of the tent camps of Ganthier and Boen after the earthquake. With the selection of beneficiaries priority was given to disabled people, single women households with children, elderly, etc. The importance of the houses is evidenced in the way families take such care of them: they are all clean and tidy, many of them with neat flowers surrounding the house. People who lost their house in the earthquake and spent many years in a tent, or in a mud and stick house, now have a strong, safe, comfortable, dignified and dry place to live. Community participation, contribution of families and feeling of ownership are key to the success of any programme. All beneficiaries actively participated in the construction process, not only by providing labour, preparing meals or carrying water, but also with a financial and material contribution, representing 10% of total costs. An inauguration ceremony took place on November 28, with participation of local authorities, mayors, pastors, committees, beneficiaries, and donor organisations. The municipality of Ganthier came to SSID to request support for a community school they were building in Ganthier. Out of the materials left over after the construction of the 37 houses, some blocks, cement, rebar and tin roofing were donated to the municipality of Ganthier as a contribution to the community school.

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A house is a basic need, but in order to make a decent living, people need more than a house. Although this programme started with a focus on housing, it has now changed into a comprehensive, integrated community development program, working closely with local committees in Ganthier and Boen. In addition to housing, agriculture is another important component of the program, which allows people to make a living and provide food for their families. The agricultural component, supervised by an agronomist, started with a research and

Nadia Louis Jacques, born and raised in Boen, explains how her house got destroyed in the earthquake. After that, she moved to a camp. When they closed the camp, she built a shelter with tarps and tin roofing at the site where her house used to be. Now a new house has arisen at the same place, 'better than before', says a smiling Nadia who shares the house with 3 people.

Nerline Valéry spent 4 years in a tent, living there with 11 people. The earthquake destroyed her house and the small store at home where she sold food products and cold drinks. Similar to Nadia, they moved to the camp and later came back to their land, where they lived in a small tent ever since. Nerline prayed with patience and is now the proud owner of a new house: from a small, leaking tent to a strong house with 3 bedrooms. Community participation is important throughout the process. When Nerline could not give the small financial contribution needed, the community stepped in and contributed a truckload of rocks. Nerline says: "We moved in two weeks ago. Yesterday evening was the first time it rained since we left the tent. The children were praying and giving thanks, because they are not getting wet anymore."

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study of soil and irrigation to find out what the land can produce best. 1,849 tree seedlings were distributed among 160 families. The 1,533 fruit trees succeeded relatively better than the 316 forest trees, since they were planted in yards and well protected. In addition, 300 cans of black beans, 170 cans of corn, 80 cans of sorghum and 3 pounds of okra seeds were distributed among 26 families in Balan, Boen, Ganthier and Bosquet to encourage kitchen gardens. Part of the harvests is being sold in order to pay for daily needs, while another part serves as a source of nutrition for the families. Sorghum and okra harvests succeeded best, while beans and corn suffered from the sun and lack of rain. At the end of 2014, 10 farmer families in Boen and 10 in Ganthier received 510 pounds of beans. 12 families received seeds to plant beets and carrots. However, a worm plague destroyed the harvest. As a follow-up, another 20 pounds of carrots and beets were planted in Boen and 4 in Ganthier. The agronomist accompanies farmers with practical, agricultural advices, workshops and visits to their gardens.

Besides seeds and plants, the food security component included the distribution of 78 goats to 65 families; 18 in Balan, 21 in Boen, 23 in Ganthier, and 14 in other communities to the Lutheran Church (Gressier) and the Church of Faith in Christ (Michaud). Every firstborn is given away to another community member. 22 goats were born so far, 4 of which died. Several male animals are managed by the community leaders of Ganthier and Boen for animal breeding and to guarantee improved stock. Animals are

Marie Snouth Juste is a beneficiary of seeds. She planted beans, sorghum, and corn. Due to the drought the corn did not succeed. Sorghum on the other hand gave her a profit of 48 cans; she planted 20 cans of sorghum and harvested 68. Of the harvest, she used approximately 60% for personal consumption, while selling the remaining 40%.

Photo: Dan Alder

Photo: Dan Alder

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often considered the 'bank account' of farmers. They do not only provide an additional nutritional input, but can also be sold in case of a financial need. 100 chicken were provided to the Salvation Army, an ally in Balan, which formed a small enterprise to produce eggs to sell at a low cost in the community, mainly to families involved in the project. Following the success of this pilot project, in December similar egg production centres were set up in Boen and Ganthier. Both communities contributed part of the resources needed to build the centres, which now each have 300 hens. A committee of 5 people is responsible for the well-functioning of the chicken farms. The agronomist organised workshops for committee members on how to prepare food for and take care of the hens.

As part of the pilot project of the agricultural component, a soil study was carried out as well as a water study. Wells were drilled to explore and evaluate the water situation for agricultural use and drink water use. Three wells were realised successfully: 2 in Boen and 1 in Balan, with a capacity of 25 and 40 gallons per minute respectively for Boen and 20 gallons per minute for Balan. During the next phase, pumps will be installed to exploit the wells.

Water is scarce in Ganthier and Boen, but important for agricultural success as well as daily life. Therefore, 5 water cisterns were built. SSID provided construction materials and technical oversight, while community participation allowed for preparation of mixture, carrying of materials, and active contribution to the process. The cisterns were built close to houses constructed by SSID and other houses with good tin roofs to facilitate water catchment. Two cisterns were constructed in Boen, each with a capacity of 6,620 gallons. Another one was built in

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Balan, also with a capacity of 6,620 gallons. Two more were built in Ganthier/Bosquet, with a capacity of 3,960 gallons each. All cisterns are filled with rainwater collected on tin roofs of surrounding houses. In case of long periods without rain, if the cisterns get empty, another option is to pay for a truckload of water to fill up the cisterns. The cisterns in Boen and Balan can potentially be filled with water from the wells. The construction of water cisterns to store rain water and the digging of wells helps people to cope with drought, by providing access to water for agricultural use, to water their gardens, to let their animals drink, and also for domestic use. As another way to stimulate income raising activities, community banks were formed to promote sustainable development and provide microcredit to increase people's income, either by investing in small businesses or agriculture. In 2013/2014, 45 people from Ganthier received microcredit (of about $ 115 US per person) and 52 people from Boen (amounts varying between $ 70 and $ 115). The loans were used to invest in selling second hand clothing, rice, beans, etc. thus increasing the income of 97 families. At the end of 2014, 48 women from Ganthier each received about $ 110 as a microloan. Websly Saint Hilaire is a beneficiary of microcredit. She says: "SSID has done a lot for us. They gave us houses; I am a beneficiary of a house. Other people received goats. I am also a beneficiary of microcredit. That helped us and was good for us, because we made a benefit. I sold second hand clothes on the market. With the profits I purchased a goat. I have it at home, it shows what I have done with the microcredit, it encourages us to help in what we do. We were also able to eat thanks to the profits; I could purchase goods on the market and give the children food from the profits. That helped us. In the house I sleep and get up, while with the microcredit I make a profit. I hope the microcredit programme will continue." Throughout the process, trainings and workshops were held to increase capacities of community members on topics including gender equity, reduction of risks and disasters, first aid, availability of medicines (also for animals), use and management of microcredit, hygiene, water, use and management of latrines, the use of natural versus chemical fertilisers and insecticides, making compost, animal breeding, etc. Medicines were provided for prevention and support to a health programme, especially against symptoms related to chikungunya, a mosquito borne disease that arrived on the island in May 2014 and led to a high number of illnesses in a very short period of time. Disaster risk reduction continues to be an important element of community organisation and capacity building. Not only did the disaster risk reduction committee receive 4 additional training sessions, but they also received tools and equipment to increase their capacity to offer first aid and to respond to different threats and risks related to natural disasters in the area. Materials provided included boots, coats, machetes, life jackets, paddles, lights, megaphones, ropes, hand sanitizer, first aid kits, gloves, axes, rakes and other instruments, to be more effective in responding to emergency situations. The combination of training and tools has led to increased resilience of the communities to potential natural disasters. Pastor Simon Jean Hilaire is the leader of the community committee of Boen. He describes the interventions as a 'big satisfaction'. The fact that an NGO from the Dominican Republic is involved, encourages cross cultural understanding between two countries with historical hostilities. "There are people who think of us. They started with food distribution, then they helped us leave the camps, they repaired houses and now they are building new houses. We

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also have access to loans/microcredit, they are building water cisterns, and distributing goats. SSID and CWS leave behind a big trace." Total expenses housing and community development in Ganthier and Boen during the reporting period: $ 356,443 Strengthen disabled persons organisations In 2014, Service Chrétien d'Haïti (SCH) celebrated 60 years of existence. During all those years they have been a partner of Church World Service, for the past years focusing on the integration of disabled people in church and society. In 2010, SCH and CWS joined forces with Mennonite Central Committee and SKDE to repair houses damaged in the earthquake and revitalise small businesses that got lost in the rubble, or allow people who became disabled in the earthquake to start a small businesses with the goal to gain autonomy. Five years after the earthquake, many ask what real impact all interventions, programmes and activities have had. With this question in mind, CWS and MCC, guided by monitors of SCH, went back to visit 130 beneficiaries of house repairs and livelihoods to measure the real impact in their lives. 76 beneficiaries of livelihoods and 33 beneficiaries of house repairs (all randomly chosen) were visited so far in the greater Port-au-Prince area (Tabarre, Croix-des-Bouqets, Port-au-Prince, Carrefour, Delmas and Pétion-Ville). While the last visits are still taking place in Pétion-Ville, preliminary results reveal that out of the 33 houses visited, 28 are still inhabited by the original beneficiaries, who feel safe and confident in their solid houses. The visits show that the programme has reached persons who were in real need. At the same time, 68% of the 76 beneficiaries of livelihoods still have their businesses running, using the profits they make to pay for their daily needs, school fees, health fees, etc. The biggest impact of the programme is its support to allow disabled people to lead an independent life, who thanks to their house repair do not have the need to live with a relative or friend, or even worse, in a shelter. They regained their autonomy. In addition, thanks to their businesses beneficiaries are not only able to take care of their daily expenses, but they can also contribute to school or health fees of their children, and support relatives close and far. Mutual care and support is an important element in a Haitian family and those who can give their contribution feel proud and fully integrated within their families. Total expenses strengthen disabled persons organisations during reporting period: $ 1,825 Emergency preparation and response Hurricane seasons of 2013 and 2014 passed without extreme hurricanes or major emergency and disaster situations. Therefore, no funds have been spent on emergency preparation or response.

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Advocacy and collaboration

Highlights

Congressional briefing held on Capitol Hill on November 20, 2013, to call for increased attention of US government on child trafficking and child labour in Haiti

Draft congressional resolution to commemorate November 17 in the United States

Assessing Progress in Haiti Act passed by US Congress on July 25, 2014, and signed by President Obama

Support to human rights platform for shadow report to the government of Haiti anti-corruption self assessment.

Advocacy for Dominican citizens rendered stateless due to constitutional ruling 168/13

Promotion of Dominican-Haitian relations though participation at Haitian-Dominican Consultation Commission

Housing conference held in Washington DC on November 24, 2014, to restart dialogue between government and civil society and to call for a sustainable plan to address housing in Haiti

Advocacy In a time of continuing political unrest and instability, postponed elections, and increased tax regulations, the importance of accountability and transparency is as evident as ever. CWS and Christian Aid therefore continue their collaboration on advocacy at the level of the USA, through the Washington DC based senior policy and advocacy officer who has been actively involved in linking programming to advocacy, while at the same time working in and on issues with relevant actors in Haiti as well as the Dominican Republic. Child protection In November 2013, an ASR consultant travelled to the USA to attend events to commemorate Haiti's national day for the abolition of the restavèk system. The first few days were programmed for interviews with 3 radio stations and television in Miami. The main activity took place in Washington DC, where a congressional briefing was organised on Capitol Hill to call for increased attention of the US government to internal and cross border child trafficking and child labour in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson introduced the event, which was an opportunity to promote her resolution on Violence against Women and Children in Haiti. The briefing was co-organised by the Episcopal Church. As a result of the briefing, a draft congressional resolution has been presented to also commemorate November 17 in the United States. Other meetings were organised with Women Thrive, US Department of State, Office to Combat Human Trafficking, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, as well as a radio interview with a Haitian American independent network. This was an opportunity to promote the ASR protocol with the US government and, through advocacy, encourage them to promote greater cooperation with stakeholders in Haiti through their various child protection programmes. US government representatives were also encouraged to increase their direct support and institutional strengthening of Haitian government institutions which have child protection as their major area of responsibility.

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Aid accountability On July 25,2014, the United States Congress passed the S.1104, The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act. CWS has played a big role in advocating for the passage of this Act, and encouraged allies in Congress to consider the bill favourably. Many people have asked many times 'where the money went' that was donated to the people of Haiti and the reconstruction of their country. The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act will contribute to finding a better answer to this question. It requires the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on the status of post-earthquake recovery and development efforts in Haiti no later than December 31, 2014 and annually thereafter through December 31, 2017. The report should include information of work done by US government agencies, housing strategy, strengthening Haitian governmental and nongovernmental organisational capacity, consultation with civil society, accountability, anti-corruption efforts, and efforts to address the particular needs of vulnerable populations. The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act does not only require the Secretary of State to report, but also to submit a three year Haiti strategy, which must include plans to improve capacity building of the Government of Haiti, assist the Government of Haiti in holding free and fair elections, reduce corruption, consolidate rule of law and an independent judiciary, develop sustainable housing, promote agricultural development, and improve access to potable water and sanitation services. These are issues on which CWS and the DC based Haiti coalition have been advocating for several years. Calls for greater scrutiny into public affairs, investigations of corruption allegations and investigations of human rights abuses have also been made in Haiti itself. CWS, in collaboration with its sister agency Christian Aid, has supported two Haitian organisations with a track record for monitoring corruption and human rights abuses. Both are now doing their own shadow reports to the government of Haiti anti-corruption self assessment, as part of Haiti’s 2013/2014 UNCAC Review (United Nations Convention Against Corruption). CWS has directly provided support for one of these reports, which is being undertaken by human rights platform RNDDH and gathering primary data on corruption cases in Haiti. The goal of RNDDH is to contribute to healthy management and transparency; show the reality and the impact of corruption on the development of a country and use this information for advocacy purposes. Statelessness CWS participated in numerous efforts of the advocacy community in Washington DC to respond to the constitutional court ruling of the Dominican Republic of September 2013, which rendered stateless Dominicans of foreign descent since 1929. Advocacy targeted the US State Department, OAS, US Embassy, Vice President’s office, CARICOM member states and the Dominican Government itself. In May 2014, a protection focused visit took place in the Dominican Republic which assessed protection threats to persons threatened with statelessness. The results of this visit are being used for further advocacy messages with respect to the protection of persons negatively affected by the court ruling and will also support CWS partner SSID as it seeks to support persons affected. CWS continues to monitor the implementation of the new naturalisation law and regularisation plans (169/14) which, since June 2014, are supposed to help mitigate some of the effects of TC 168/13. Dominican partner organisation and ACT Alliance member SSID has a long history of working in 'bateyes', former sugarcane producing areas with a majority community of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent. Constitutional ruling 168/13 that required regularisation of Dominicans of foreign descent, directly impacted these communities. SSID, through two

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researches, shed some light on the impacts on those affected, availability of information, accompaniment offered, etc. A first study looked at 'Perspectives and views of Dominican evangelical pastors who accompany congregations, families and individuals affected by constitutional ruling 168/13'. SSID met with 4 focal groups in San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo, Barahona and Sabana Grande de Boya. The groups consisted of pastors, families and individuals accompanying those affected by the ruling and focused on knowledge, accompaniment, and protection. Risks for those affected that were identified included no protection, no nationality, loss of rights, with far-going limitations on study, access to health care, birth certificates and other relevant documents, marriage, bank transactions, etc. Accompaniment offered included psychological support, advice and orientation, although many pastors are not professionally prepared to offer this kind of help. The second study was a characterisation of the population affected by law 169/14, a law that allowed a 90 day period for those born in the Dominican Republic, but irregularly enlisted in the civil register, to regularise their situation. The study looked at 371 homes in 8 communities of bateyes in the municipality of Sabana Grande de Boya, province of Monte Plata, focusing on characteristics of the population, level of information managed by those affected by the law, possession of documents of evidence required, identifying levels of awareness to solve the status and implications in present and future. Findings showed that the majority of the population interviewed receives a monthly income of approximately 3,000 pesos, more than half does not know how to read or write, 43% does not have any type of document required for regularisation, 72% was not registered in the civil registry, 66% had not made a formal request to solve its migratory status, and 70% declared not to know what steps to take to solve their situation. The majority has been living in the Dominican Republic for over 21 years, although 56% came into the country without any kind of document. 62% had not started any process yet, while 27% was in the process of naturalisation. Support of evangelical churches has been limited, due to lack of funds and lack of coordination. Dominicans of Haitian descent have been prevented from exercising their fundamental rights. The very short timeframe means that people run the risk of not being able to meet the deadline. However, this has now been extended by another 90 days. Haitian-Dominican Consultation Commission As a follow-up to a Christian Aid training on binational advocacy held in February 2014 a Haitian-Dominican Consultation Commission was set up, consisting of organisations working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, including CWS. Since then, meetings have been held in both countries, discussing the political context of each country and identifying specific topics to work on together, including human rights, environment, and economy. In October, a three day forum was organised by Centro Bono in Santo Domingo, offering a dialogue between Haitian and Dominican civil society organisations, with a focus on migration and human rights, and economic and commercial relations. CWS partners Caminante and SSID also attended. Housing conference On November 24, 2014, CWS, MCC and American Jewish World Service organised a housing conference at the Elliott School/George Washington University in Washington DC, with the aim to restart a dialogue between government and civil society institutions and to call for a sustainable plan to address housing in Haiti.

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Six Haitian civil society organisations came to Washington DC to speak at the conference, including CWS partner SSID, Haiti Grassroots Watch and GARR (Groupe d'Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés). SSID in their presentation showed a good house building alternative to the expensive USAID projects, with an example of local organisations building cheaper, stronger, earthquake resistant houses, with community participation and full local consultation. They also called for US government to partner more effectively with local organisations going forward. Two representatives from the Unit for the Construction of Housing and Public Buildings (UCLBP), the Government of Haiti agency responsible for housing, also responded to the CWS/MCC invitation to attend the conference and speak on two panels. Over 60 persons attended the conference, including representatives from USAID, State Department, Inter-American Development Bank, Amnesty International, InterAction, etc. Following the conference, a closed chambers meeting was held with the delegation, UCLBP representative, InterAction, and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Committee, offering very promising avenues for continued dialogue. Meetings also took place with Congresswoman Frederica Wilson's office, the National Security Committee at the White House, Haiti Advocacy Working Group (HAWG), State Department, USAID, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and the Bureau for Human Rights and Democracy. All in all, a broad range of players was brought together, including academia, civil society, multilaterals, government of Haiti, students, UN, Haitian, Caribbean, US government. For the Haitian partners this was also an opportunity to understand better advocacy in the US and in Haiti, allowing them to learn some lobbying skills to be applied in their home country. The conference, which was promising in that the majority of its speakers were Haitian, has raised the need for continuous mechanisms of dialogue between government and civil society, especially in Haiti, rather than in Washington DC. Consensus was reached on the need for a housing ministry; the need for private/public partnerships on housing; the urgency of ending forced evictions; the need for future housing plans to include full participation of people; the need to establish social protection mechanisms for persons who are unlikely to qualify for existing housing projects; the need for housing credit schemes which target the poorest; the need for US Government to prioritise these issues in their negotiations with the Government of Haiti. The programme, videos, photos and other relevant information can be found at www.haitihousingdc.org. Total expenses advocacy during the reporting period: $ 78,408 ACT Alliance Haiti collaboration

The ACT Alliance Haiti forum meets on a monthly basis. Over the past year attention has been paid to emergency preparedness and response planning, including the drafting of a contingency plan for ACT Alliance Haiti.

Four ACT members jointly hired a security advisor, who shares regular updates with the ACT forum. A full-time ACT forum coordinator was hired in the fall of 2014, a position jointly supported by the ACT members, facilitating relevant communication and coordination.

Staff of a few members participated at trainings on community psychosocial support held in El Salvador and Peru. All members were invited to a workshop on gender equity.

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The joint climate change/disaster risk reduction programme continues, involving both training and support to grassroots organisations.

The forum is developing a brochure with information about ACT Haiti forum activities, as well as member information.

After the September 23, 2013 ruling concerning Dominicans of foreign descent, the ACT Haiti forum developed a positioning statement jointly with the ACT Dominican Republic forum.

In October 2014, the general assembly of ACT Alliance was held, this year in the Dominican Republic. The ACT Haiti forum presented its members and programmes at a stand at the general assembly, as a preparation for which a video was put together, highlighting different programmes of the members.

Overview of locations of interventions on food security, child protection, emergency recovery

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CWS staff and office costs The CWS Haiti team consists of a country representative, a programme officer, a child protection officer, and a cleaner/cook. The position of child protection officer is new as of November 1, 2014 and is expected to strengthen the child protection part of CWS Haiti's interventions, in collaboration with partner organisations as well as other relevant institutions at civil society and government level. Two consultant engineers joined the team for the duration of the construction project with ASR (9 months). Outside Haiti, the child protection programme officer and regional coordinator support implementation of the plan, while the senior policy and advocacy officer supports and links programming to advocacy efforts. Total expenses CWS staff and office costs during the reporting period: $ 221,746 ($ 156,746 staff and office, $ 65,000 vehicle)

Finances

Program Areas

Total 3 year budget

($ US)

Expenses July 2013 -

December 2014 ($ US)

Percentage of total

expenses to date

Food Security in Northwest Region

Cooperative Strengthening 390,000 224,294 6.30%

Cooperative Small Project Funds 60,000 40,000 1.12%

Coop office building 121,000 85,000 2.39%

New Food Security Programming 675,000 99,841 2.80%

CWS Staff Presence 125,000 0 0.00%

Children's Protection

Grassroots Advocacy & Capacity Building 360,000 151,269 4.25%

ASR construction 200,000 180,614 5.07%

Small Grants Funds for Children's Protection 300,000 36,500 1.03%

Emergency Recovery, Preparedness & Response

Housing & Community Development in Ganthier & Boen 475,000 356,443 10.01%

Strengthen Disabled Persons Organizations 225,000 1,825 0.05%

Emergency Preparation and Response 30,000 0 0.00%

Advocacy and Collaboration

Advocacy 120,000 78,408 2.20%

ACT Alliance Collaboration 30,000 0 0.00%

CWS Staff and Office Costs 449,000

Staff and office costs 156,746 4.40%

Vehicle purchase 65,000 1.83%

Total 3,560,000 1,475,939 41.46%

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Acronyms ACT Alliance Action by Churches Together Alliance ADRUH Association pour le Développement Rural d'Haïti (Association for the Rural Development of Haiti) ASR Haïti Aba Sistèm Restavèk - Haïti (Down with the Restavèk System - Haiti) CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market CECODE Compassion pour les Enfants Démunis (Compassion for Vulnerable Children) CNSA Coordination Nationale de la Sécurité Alimentaire (National Coordination for Food Security) CRPB Coopérative Rurale Plaine d'Orange Bombardopolis (Rural Cooperative Plaine d'Orange Bombardopolis)

Revenue ($ US) received to date

Member communions 565,440

Related organisations 480,000

Individuals 0

Foundations and corporations 190,000

Emergency transfers 61,404

Carry-over balance from prior period 4,049,305

Total 5,346,149

Cooperative strengthening

Coop office building

New food security programming

Grassroots advocacy & capacity building

School repair and construction

Small grants fund for children's protection

Housing & community development in Ganthier & Boen

Strengthen disabled persons organisations

Advocacy

Staff and office costs

Vehicle purchase

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CWS Church World Service FOPJ Fondation Œcuménique pour la Paix et la Justice (Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice) FRB Foods Resource Bank GARR Groupe d'Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés (Group of Support to Repatriates and Refugees) HAWG Haiti Advocacy Working Group IADB Inter-American Development Bank IBESR Institut du Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches (Institute of Social Wellbeing and Research) ICEDNO Initiative Citoyenne pour le Développement des Enfants du Nord'Ouest (Citizens' Initiative for the Development of Children of the Northwest) KABM Koperativ Konsomasyon Atizanal Bi Miltip (Cooperative Bi-Multiple Artisanal Consumption) KAMM Koperativ Agrikòl Men nan Men (Agricultural Cooperative Hand in Hand) KED Koperativ Espwa pou Demen (Cooperative Hope for Tomorrow) KEPK Koperativ Espwa Peyizan Kolen (Cooperative Hope Peasants Colin) KOEB Koperativ Espwa Bedeyen (Cooperative Hope Baie-de-Henne) KOFEJ Koperativ Fratènite Espwa Jan Rabel (Cooperative Fraternity Hope Jean Rabel) KOKAS Koperativ Konsomasyon Agrikòl Sitèn Remi (Cooperative Agricultural Consumption Citerne Remy) KPPG Koperativ Peyizan Petirivyè Glasy (Cooperative Peasants Petite Rivière Glasy) KRCLJ Koperativ Riral pou Chanjman Lamontay nan Jil (Rural Cooperative for Change Lamontay nan Jil) LATI Lavi Timoun (Children's Lives) MCC Mennonite Central Committee OAS Organisation of American States PRM Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration RNDDH Réseau National de Défense de Droits Humains (National Network of Defence of Human Rights) SB Solidarité pour la Bienfaisance (Solidarity for Beneficence) SCH Service Chrétien d'Haïti (Christian Service of Haiti) SKDE Sant Kretyen pou Devlopman Entegre (Christian Centre for Integrated Development) SSID Servicio Social de Iglesias Dominicanas (Social Service of Dominican Churches) UN United Nations UCLBP Unité de Construction de Logements et de Bâtiments Publics (Unit for the Construction of Housing and Public Buildings) UNCAC United Nations Convention Against Corruption USAID United States Agency for International Development