Strengthening Haitian-Led Disaster Response and Preparedness

HDI partnered with the Haiti Response Coalition to organize an in-person conference from June 9-11, 2022 in Les Cayes, Haiti (in the earthquake affected area) to analyze the recent response and consider how preparation and response can be strengthened.

The goal of the conference was to create an opportunity for conversations that include those most affected by disaster and best positioned to support their communities both before and after future disasters. Community organizations are their communities’ first responders in any disaster, and are also the last responders – they are the social structure, along with local governments, that stay with the community for the long haul. They are well positioned to drive projects and programs that can address the most salient community recovery needs, as well as prepare for and mitigate potential harms from future disasters.

The conference attracted 225 local community and public sector leaders from across the areas affected by the devastating 2021 earthquake. Participants reviewed the country and local region’s preparedness for disaster, the immediate response, and systems for coordination, assessment and management of recovery efforts. They considered what has changed or improved since Haiti’s 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew, what is still lacking and what needs to be done to better prepare and manage risks and losses from the inevitable next natural hazard.

 More information about the event and program can be found at the website for HDI’s convening platform, www.haitidevelopmentforum.org.