Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund
Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, destroyed hospitals and schools, leveled homes, and took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Haitians. In the disaster’s immediate aftermath, President Clinton formed the Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund to turn donations of money and supplies into direct relief for the people and government of Haiti. More than 100,000 individuals donated more than $16.4 million to the Fund. The Foundation spent nearly $2.5 million to directly purchase relief supplies and spent more than $1.7 million to deliver and distribute goods donated by other organizations, including heavy equipment, solar flashlights and lanterns, and tents — bringing the total value of the Foundation’s effort to nearly $28 million. The Foundation has also issued $5.3 million in grants to 16 organizations, including $1 million for operational support of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, and provided millions of dollars in technical assistance, pro bono, to the government of Haiti to help advance the reconstruction process.
2010 Haiti Fund Highlights
Business Investment and Job Creation
President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation have worked since before the earthquake to encourage private sector investment in Haiti. In October 2009, the Foundation worked with the Inter-American Development Bank to host a successful investors conference in Port-au-Prince that attracted over 500 participants from over 30 countries. And since the earthquake, President Clinton has remained committed to engaging the Haitian and international private sector to assist the country with long-term recovery. The Clinton Foundation has facilitated new investments in artisans from large international retailers such as Macy’s, West Elm, and Donna Karan. The Foundation also worked closely with smallholder farmers, farming cooperatives, Haitian exporters, and international companies on a variety of investments in the agricultural sector, most notably the Coca Cola Haiti Hope Mango Lime Aid and the La Colombe coffee purchase. The Foundation is currently facilitating additional investments in the agricultural sector, including new coffee purchasers, a line of Haitian-inspired teas, and a line of essential oils for perfume and cosmetics. Additional investment opportunities are also being pursued in non-traditional sectors such as apparel manufacturing, tourism, and green energy.
Life without Cholera
In April 2011, President Clinton launched a new Clinton Foundation effort in Haiti, "Lavi san Kolera" ("Life without Cholera"). Building on a November 2010 commitment of $1.5 million to the Haitian Ministry of Health for cholera prevention, the new project will use $500,000 of this funding to work in consultation with the Haitian Ministry of Health and local health, nongovernmental, and private organizations to help foster awareness for both the prevention and treatment of cholera. TV, radio, and print advertisements across the country will focus on fostering behavioral changes, such as proper hand washing and drinking clean water, as well as educating the public on treatment methods. As part of its immediate assistance last November, the Foundation committed $1 million for the training of 10,000 community public health workers across the country, as well as the purchase of 10,000 portable treatment packs for those in need.
Building Back Better Communities
The Clinton Foundation provided a $500,000 grant to the Haitian government through the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission to support the Building Back Better Communities Initiative (BBBC). Led and administered by the Haitian Government, the BBBC initiative is a forum for Haitians and members of the international community to submit proposals for safe, sustainable, low-cost and high-quality solutions that can be used in the reconstruction of the Haitian housing sector. On January 31st the Haitian government with support from the Clinton Foundation hosted a housing expo conference which was attended by over 600 participants. The second step in the exposition process will be a built expo event where the participants will construct full-scale housing models. Following the exposition, the best solutions will be assessed by Haitian government officials, community leaders, and other experts and implemented into new housing construction projects including a replicable Exemplary Housing Settlement (EHS).
Emergency Shelters in Léogâne
In June 2010, President Clinton announced the first financial commitment made to the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission (IHRC) after the January 12 earthquake: $1 million by the Clinton Foundation to construct emergency communal shelters in Léogâne, Haiti. On August 6, construction on Léogâne’s emergency shelters commenced at the École Communautaire Sainte Thérèse de Darbonne, with President Clinton breaking ground. The Clinton Foundation contracted with a Haitian and international firm to develop and install the structures, which are designed to serve as schools when there is no risk of storm. All 20 of the structures are now complete and serving as schools; each building is able to accommodate upwards of 60 children for classroom instruction.
