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“Only God Is Watching Over Us Now”
Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:14What is going on in Haiti two years after an earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince? Last week, I met Evans in an IDP camp in the Petionville neighborhood of Haiti’s capital city. A ten-year-old who is relatively small for his age but bouncing with energy, Evans is like most young boys surviving in Port-au-Prince. He is street smart, looks out for his mother and sisters, and had his life changed forever on January 12, 2010. What makes Evans different from the other boys? He speaks English, a rare skill even for adults in Haiti.
The Loss of a Great Human Rights Activist
Mon, 12/05/2011 - 10:43Sonia Pierre was 13 years old when she was first arrested and threatened with deportation, for organizing a protest for the rights of sugar cane workers. She continued her struggle for the rights of marginalized people in the Dominican Republic (DR) right up until her sad and untimely death yesterday from a heart attack, at age 48.
Statelessness and Nationality in the Dominican Republic
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 15:39
Wednesday’s conference on statelessness and the right to nationality in the Dominican Republic (DR) saw presenters from many countries and fields of work join in a constructive dialogue.
This example of statelessness, caused by the retroactive loss of nationality rights for Dominicans of Haitian descent in the DR’s new constitution, has been a major source of civil strife. It has left many without access to their rights, and has shaken their most basic sense of who they are and where they belong.
Bringing Stateless "Out of the Shadows"
Tue, 10/25/2011 - 14:22Today, leaders from government, civil society, and the UN gathered at the US Institute of Peace to explore statelessness and its impact on women worldwide. The Institute's sparkling new headquarters played host to an insightful and inspiring discussion - a fitting kick-off for a week full of stateless advocacy here at RI.
RI's Web Roundup
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 16:57
Egypt dominates the headlines this week, harsh winter brings hard times to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the United States Congress considers cutting back - this is this week on the Web:
Haiti: Don’t forget the rest of the country
Fri, 09/17/2010 - 09:33
After spending time last week visiting the squalid and miserable camps in Port-au-Prince and witnessing the level of destruction caused by the quake in the Haitian capital, it’s easy to see how the international community has had difficulty looking beyond the crisis in the capital. But this is a short-sighted approach.
Haiti: Emergency Paralysis
Mon, 09/13/2010 - 16:24by: Emilie Parry
I have just returned from Haiti, having conducted Refugees International’s second field assessment of the humanitarian response and related protection issues with my colleague Melanie Teff, eight months following the shattering January 12, 2010 earthquake. The resounding take-away is that the people of Haiti are caught up in a protracted state of emergency. In the way that a spinal cord injury’s paralysis leads to bedsores, atrophy, and skin rot in the patient, the humanitarian response in Haiti feels paralyzed. The local community networks and linkages are atrophying, the spontaneous camps are developing bedsores, and the momentum, the window of opportunity within this emergency, may now be turning to rot.
Haiti: From the Ground Up
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 16:24Aid workers can often seem jaded when confronted with the world’s misery. Many resort to cynicism, perhaps in the hope of distancing themselves emotionally from the victims of the tragedy unfolding before them. In Haiti – where an earthquake in early January devastated Port-au-Prince and left more than a million people homeless – I sensed a greater sense of empathy amongst the aid community.
Haitian Disaster Spotlights Funding Gaps for Humanitarian Crises
Wed, 02/03/2010 - 18:28There is no doubt that thousands of Haitians are suffering from an enormous disaster that warrants a strong international humanitarian response. Refugees International supports the relief efforts underway, as it’s clear that immediate humanitarian assistance is critical. In the coming weeks and months we hope the crisis will stabilize, allowing for longer-term thinking about reconstruction and development. As Haiti moves away from this tragic event toward a brighter future, countries and aid groups must remain engaged and committed. Anything less may result in a protracted or chronic humanitarian crisis for the people of Haiti.
Refugees International Statement on Haiti Earthquake
Thu, 01/14/2010 - 09:18The following statement was made by Acting President, Joel Charny, in response to the devastation created by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12.
Refugees International (RI) advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.