Thinking local in Haiti

A new report published by Progressio, in partnership with CAFOD, International HIV-AIDS Alliance, SCIAF and Tearfund, calls for the international community to help local organisations take the lead in decision-making in Haiti. In the report, Haitian civil society representatives argue that taking decisions at local level whenever possible is key to successfully reconstructing and developing Haiti in the long term.

Two years on from the earthquake that caused damage and losses worth US$8 billion and left nearly 1.2 million people homeless, Haiti still faces huge challenges; but work is now taking place to try and deliver a long-lasting recovery.

Thinking local in Haiti: Civil society perspectives on decentralisation is based on interviews with 12 Haitian civil society organisations. It shows a widely shared belief that giving local organisations the power in decision-making (decentralisation) is essential for the reconstruction process.

The report proposes that a more decentralised approach could make government and reconstruction agencies more accountable to Haiti’s people. It also suggests that it could encourage greater participation in decision-making processes.

The report also suggests that not implementing this approach would encourage too many people to move to the capital city, Port-au-Prince, in order to be nearer to where the power is held. By contrast, increasing investment and decision-making power at provincial level would mean more jobs and better services across the country as a whole.

The report also outlines some practical recommendations for Haitian national and local government, multilateral agencies, donors, national and international NGOs and other relevant stakeholders interested in supporting reconstruction and development work in Haiti through the ‘shared project’ of decentralisation.

Download and read the report>>