The American Red Cross and IOM are partnering in a year-long
programme to assist Haitian communities that have been hosting
internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the January 12th
earthquake.

More than 60,000 people are expected to benefit from the
programme over the course of the next year.

The initiative, funded with USD 7.5 million from the American
Red Cross, seeks to ease the overcrowding of host communities and
host families as well as addressing vulnerabilities in the
communities and among displaced persons.

"The American Red Cross is pleased to be assisting communities
which have played such an important role in supporting victims of
the earthquake," said David Meltzer, senior vice president of
International Services at the American Red Cross. "In collaboration
with the IOM and local authorities, we want to put people to work
on projects that will directly improve the quality of life for
their families and their communities."

Targeting communities outside of the area directly affected by
the January earthquake, the programme was developed in accordance
with the Government of Haiti's Action Plan for National Recovery
and Development. Communities in three Haitian regions –
Artibonite (located northwest of Port-au-Prince), and the North and
South departments – were selected based on the density of IDP
communities, as well as the vulnerability of the populations.

The programme will involve implementation of small projects
addressing needs identified by host communities, in collaboration
with local authorities.  Examples of potential works envisaged
include construction of irrigation canals and expanded access to
water, which would have positive health impacts and improve
agricultural productivity as well as soil conservation.

For further information, please contact :

Julie Sell

Spokesperson, American Red Cross

Tel: +509-3488-5864

E-mail:  "mailto:sellj@usa.redcross.org">sellj@usa.redcross.org 

Leonard Doyle

IOM Media and Communications Haiti

Tel: + 509 3702 5066

E-mail: "mailto:ldoyle@iom.int">ldoyle@iom.int

or

Christina Burwell

IOM Haiti

Tel: +509-3702-7869

E-mail: "mailto:cburwell@iom.int">cburwell@iom.int