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Women must be at centre of relief efforts in Haiti
The shortage of medical supplies, food and water—along with rising violence—is having a disproportionate impact on women in Haiti. International relief efforts must ensure that humanitarian aid continues to reach women and other vulnerable groups.
Last Tuesday’s earthquake destroyed the country’s already weak health infrastructure. As a result, many pregnant women are being forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and in the absence of medical care. This greatly increases the risk of life threatening complications. Meanwhile, there are concerns that the shortage of access to food and water will prevent women from breastfeeding their newborns.
Just as seriously, the rising violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has many aid workers fearing that rape and other forms of violence against women will soon escalate.
Involving women more fully in the distribution of humanitarian supplies is critical to the success of the overall relief effort. They are responsible for the care of the young, the injured and the infirm. Providing support to women on the ground will ensure aid gets to those who need it most.
To that end, humanitarian organizations world-wide are calling upon the international community to prioritize aid for Haitian women.
TAKE ACTION
Help UNIFEM rebuild shelters and expand services in Haiti.
Endorse the Open Letter from Just Associates calling upon world leaders to expand gender sensitive relief efforts.
Support the work of organizations helping Haitian women in the disaster zone:
CARE works with women in Haiti to keep disease at bay, PR Newswire, 18 Jan 2010
UNIFEM seeks funding to provide shelter and services to women in Haiti, UNIFEM, 18 Jan 2010
Appeal launched for emergency assistance to thousands of pregnant women at high risk in Haiti, UNFPA, 15 Jan 2010
READ MORE
Visit AWID to learn more about why international relief efforts in Haiti must focus on women.
Read the statement by WILPF on Aid Provision in Haiti, 20 Jan 2010
After the quake, depend on women, MADRE, 15 Jan 2010
Haiti’s outdoor maternity ward (video), BBC, 20 Jan 2010