Responding Effectively to the Earthquake in Haiti
The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 raised a crucial question for many of Arabella Advisors’ clients and contacts: How can philanthropists respond most effectively to such a disaster? In response, we compiled the following initial list of recommendations and resources, based both on our previous work and on continuing research into the situation in Haiti. These are some of the criteria Arabella will use to analyze recovery strategies and to make funding recommendations to our clients going forward. We hope you will find them helpful as you consider your own philanthropic response.
Recommendations for Philanthropists
- Support organizations with long histories in Haiti and community-centric approaches. Many international organizations have worked in Haiti for decades, providing development programs across a range of sectors. These organizations have well-established relationships with local communities and community-based organizations. Supporting such groups helps ensure that donations achieve maximum impact on the ground.
- Support underfunded sectors. The sector-specific areas of protection, advocacy and transparency, and provision of psychosocial support are critical to the success of any recovery strategy, but they are often significantly underfunded. Supporting organizations with strengths in these areas will improve the potential for long-term recovery and healing after this tragedy.
- Make multi-year commitments to rebuild public goods. The earthquake indiscriminately destroyed homes, schools, community centers, churches, and other infrastructure. Sustained support to rebuild them is vital. Donations that encourage close collaboration among local and federal governments and community-based organizations are especially effective. They can help rebuild both physical structures and Haiti’s social fabric. They also provide an opportunity to consider direct funding for local organizations in Haiti.
- Support disaster-risk reduction and preparedness efforts. Advance preparation and early warning systems help reduce the damage disasters cause. As Haitians work to rebuild their communities, disaster preparedness should be taken into account. This includes support for alert and communication systems, disaster-proof construction, agricultural planning, and operational contingency planning. Sadly, this is not the first natural disaster to hit Haiti, and it won’t be the last. Preparing now will save lives in the future.
Additional Ideas for Consideration
We recognize that the private donor community is comprised of a wide range of talents, interests, and philanthropic commitments. Our research has revealed three other recommendations that we wish to share with you here.
- Build trusted relationships with grantees. Consider giving now to organizations that are providing excellent disaster management services in Haiti, and work to develop relationships with such grantees that enable you to comfortably give ‘unrestricted’ gifts. In the heat of a disaster, organizations need maximum flexibility to channel funds in response to conditions on the ground.
- Build the capacity of the Haitian Diaspora.¹ Supporting collaborative efforts among Haitian populations in the U.S. could facilitate a lasting recovery and ensure that affected populations in Haiti remain connected and committed to their worldwide community.
- Support research. Gaps in research that advances the state of disaster management practice are a continuing problem. Consider partnering with an academic or research institution to advance learning around the Haitian earthquake experience and other natural disasters.
Additional Resources
- - a United Nations website providing up-to-date information as well as data and documents on the earthquake.
- - a report that identifies eight principles of good disaster management for philanthropists.
- - run by the Reuters Foundation, provides news, information and analysis on the earthquake response.
- - an Arabella Advisors Issue Brief on this topic.
1. “Responding to Disaster in Haiti: Supporting the Diaspora.”
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