Thousands of children were orphaned or separated from their parents after the Haiti earthquake, leaving girls as young as 10 years old to provide for their younger siblings.

With so much responsibility thrust upon them at such a young age, they are at risk of not finishing school. Even worse, without family and support, many girls living in temporary camps are vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence.

“Having survived the devastating earthquake, girls in Haiti still face life threatening risks every day,” said Ella Gudwin, AmeriCares vice president of emergency response. “AmeriCares and our partners are proud to work together to protect girls and give them the tools they need to become empowered young women.”

In an effort to support their safe transition to adulthood, AmeriCares is spearheading a new initiative with peer organizations to improve access to education, health services, financial literacy and counseling for at-risk girls throughout Haiti.

With this innovative program, AmeriCares and participating organizations are providing an invaluable resource for this vulnerable, yet dynamic, population. Read more.

AmeriCares Work In Haiti

Months after the devastating earthquake rocked Haiti, families still mourn 230,000 victims of the disaster. Squalid tent cities in and around Port-au-Prince are still home to one million men, women and children. Others families have fled the quake-damaged city altogether. Over 300,000 people were injured during disaster; many lost limbs, others sustained serious injuries from which they will never recover. Medicines and supplies were ruined in the disaster; what remained was quickly depleted by throngs of earthquake survivors.

In response, AmeriCares has committed to help rebuild Haiti’s heath care system over the next 3 to 5 years in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake. Our relief efforts include sending medicines and medical supplies and supporting health care facilities serving the people of Haiti.