Interaction, the largest coalition of U.S. based international nongovernmental organizations, recently launched the Haiti Aid Map, an online application that graphically represents which organizations in Haiti are doing what and where.  Interaction welcomes feedback on this pilot initiative.  Contact them if you would like to learn more, submit data, or share your thoughts concerning the kinds of information that should be highlighted or the features you would like to see in the future. Read more »

When people think of Haiti, they often think of hunger, and not without reason. Though there has been significant progress over the past year, hunger remains a pervasive problem.  Achieving food security is fundamental to nutrition, health, education, economic growth, stability and all the other issues we lump under “development.”  There are well intentioned groups, such as this one from Kansas, that often try to send packages of food to Haiti.  It might make one feel good, but in reality, it does little good. There is much that we can do to promote food security in Haiti, but it is up to us to ensure that our time, energy, and resources make an actual, and not just a perceived, difference. Read more »

Strong arguments can be made that sacking Prime Minister Pierre-Louis was a mistake.  Still, she served Haiti well prior to becoming Prime Minister and will no doubt continue to do so.  Jean Max Bellerive has since been confirmed as the new Prime Minister.  He has stated the increasing foreign investment and reducing poverty will be amongst his highest priorities.  He has a much different style than Pierre-Louis, but faces the same challenges.  This includes promoting food security thoughout Haiti.   Read more »

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has announced that Wyclef Jean and Bono will receive the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center's annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues. Read more »