Economic Growth Haiti Project #4571

Contribute to Long-Term Rebuilding in Haiti

by Lambi Fund of Haiti

Project Report | Dec 27, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Wipes Out Crops in Haiti

By Sarah Leavitt | Digital Outreach Manager

Flooding in Haiti

In this line of work, you are bound to encounter setbacks from time to time. Now is one of those occasions. As you may very well be aware, Hurricane Sandy swept through the Caribbean and Eastern Coast of the United States in late October. Severe damage was wrought. While the brunt of the storm thankfully bi-passed Haiti, it rained heavily for four days straight. In a country home to severe deforestation and minimal water management capacity, the flooding was severe. So severe in fact that widespread loss of crops and livestock has been reported throughout the country. In the South, farmers lost nearly 70% of their crops. For impoverished farmers who depend on agriculture for subsistence, this has been devastating news.

In response, the Lambi Fund of Haiti has been working with community organizations throughout the country since the storm. So far, 13 grassroots organizations have been identified that qualify for emergency relief grants. These grants will go straight to Haitians hit by the storm to help:

Rapidly replant crops to increase their resilience to the famine that experts predict will occur in Haiti within the next few months
Accommodate short-term family needs
Allow the organization’s community-run enterprises to get back on track

Organizations will also prepare soil for planting, repair irrigation canals as necessary and purchase seeds that do not require a long time to harvest (such as beans, vegetables and corn). Groups with animal husbandry projects will also be provided with the requisite funding to replace livestock that were lost in the storm.

Lambi Fund’s field monitors have also been in contact with over 50 other community organizations that may qualify for similar emergency relief. These groups will be provided with the resources necessary to get back on their feet as well.

Obviously, a natural disaster like this is an unforeseen expense that we at Lambi Fund are working as hard as possible to meet. Hopefully through continued support from people like you, we can help curb the impending food crisis as much as possible and keep impoverished Haitians’ incomes flowing.

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Sep 28, 2012
Storing Grains and Improving Food Security

By Sarah Leavitt | Digital Outreach Manager

Haitian farmer standing among his crops

For many, the earthquake may seem like a distant memory, but in Haiti communities are continuing to rebuild. Inspiring and innovative efforts to build a better and stronger Haiti than ever before are taking place in towns throughout the country. One organization that is lighting a spark in their region is The Youth Association of Sel (AJS). The 255 youth members are working in partnership with the Lambi Fund of Haiti, to build a grain storage facility and launch a community credit fund. The grain silo they are building will store surplus grains and seeds for use in times of need – droughts, natural disasters and in between growing seasons. The storage facility will also be a place to store Haitian Creole seeds. With this silo, AJS members are working to increase access to high quality, local seeds that they can share and sell to one another at an affordable rate. Just as importantly, the food storage aspect of the facility is working to create a safety net for the community – making food and grains available when its needed most.

In order to successfully manage and operate the storage facility and community credit fund, members of AJS attended workshops administered by Lambi Fund teaching them grain storage management and operation, bookkeeping, the issuing of loans and how to manage a community credit fund.

To date, 50 low-interest loans have been issued to members who are using the funds to purchase more seeds, tools and organic fertilizers for growing more peanuts, peas and corn in the area. One recipient noted that investments from the loan allowed him to cultivate 25% more land. Each repayment schedule has been paid on time - and since AJS manages the credit fund and interest earnings stay within the community, the fund is growing. In fact, AJS members are planning to issue an additional 19 loans this fall to farmers in preparation for the upcoming planting season. The silo is currently under construction and committees have been formed that will be responsible for managing the food storage unit and distributing the grains and seeds in an equitable manner.

Thanks to your steadfast support innovative projects like this are cropping up throughout Haiti and changing communities.

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Jul 3, 2012
New projects are helping rebuild Haiti

By Sarah Leavitt | Digital Outreach Manager

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