The earthquake in Haiti has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom now live huddled together under tarps and tents. Nearly five months after the earthquake, streetlights remain in disrepair and the electrical grid is without much power. The lack of lighting in housing camps exacerbates an already fragile security situation. Women in these camps feel unsafe walking at night, as rape and incidents of physical abuse are rising in number. Community groups in these areas-- labeled “red zones” by international groups shortly after the earthquake-- are only now being approached by relief organizations to improve aid distribution and post-earthquake reconstruction.
Citizen Effect is working with Earthspark International to distribute solar-powered lamps to women in these camps, harnessing local community groups to prioritize distribution to those most in need. The initiative focuses on camps located in Cité Soleil, one of the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince and a red zone in which more than half the population feels unsafe at night. Providing adequate lighting for the women of Cité Soleil and greater Port-au-Prince will make it safer for them to travel at night by reducing the possibility of physical abuse from nightly attackers. In addition, female survivors of the earthquake to can be empowered to organize patrols to protect themselves and their families with light from their solar lamps.
Amy and Eric are committed to helping the women of Cité Soliel by providing them with the ability to read, work, and conduct activities after sunset with safety and comfort. Amy and Eric have pledged to provide 72 solar powered lamps to women in need. As one of the camp residents, Madame Pierre, related to EarthSpark: “The lamp is very useful. I use it when I need to go out at night.”
Support Amy and Eric's project and help provide 72 women of Port-au-Prince with a clean and reliable source of light and power.
This project will provide 72 solar powered LED lamps to women in Port-au-Prince, in addition to supporting Haiti's long-term clean energy infrastructure.
• 1 lamp will be distributed to each housing unit for woman to safely travel about at night. The lamp’s rechargeable NiMH AA battery charges by sunlight in about 8 hours and will power the super bright LED for 6-8 hours.
• 10 percent of the funds will go to support EarthSpark's Clean Energy Store, which will provide technical assistance to local entrepreneurs and efficient alternatives to kerosene lamps, inefficient charcoal stoves and small-scale diesel generators.
This investment in Haiti's long-term, clean energy needs will greatly help facilitate Haiti’s post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.
This project addresses numerous critical problems exacerbated by the Haiti earthquake in January 2010:
• Haiti’s crippled infrastructure left a glaring need for lighting, as less than 25 percent of households were connected to electricity grids before the earthquake
• A lacking security presence patrolling these areas further makes these women more susceptible to rape or abuse at night when they must travel to search for resources to provide for families
• 75 percent of existing power produced from kerosene lamps, wax candles, and to a much lesser extent, private diesel or gasoline generators creates fire hazards, is cost ineffective, and pollutes the environment.
As efficient and reliable sources of light, EarthSpark’s solar lamps allow women to safely navigate their camps while also protecting them from the threat of gender-based violence.
In partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative, Partners in Health, the Haitian Ministry of Women Affairs, AIDG and trusted Haitian organization KONPAY, KOFAVIV, and the Commission for Women Victims for Victims, Earthspark will distribute one lamp to each housing establishment in Cite Soleil. This effort combines women’s groups and NGOs with established relationships in Haiti that work to empower Haitian citizens. Operations are ongoing in the areas where violence against women and poor security has been reported. Through this engagement, we are rebuilding ties between citizens, community groups, and the government, thereby empowering civil society.
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