The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti has just released two Universal Periodic Reviews to the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding Gender Based Violence and Justice Challenges in Haiti. The review allows for the State and all relevant stakeholders (including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and regional mechanisms) to report on the status of human rights situations in their country as well as declare what actions they have taken to overcome these human rights challenges. Read More
Who We Are
The Haiti Advocacy Working Group (HAWG) is a coalition of international development, human rights, and faith-based organizations that advocates for aid accountability, democracy, and social justice in U.S.-Haiti policy. The HAWG aims to amplify Haitian voices in policymaking processes at the United Nations, the U.S. Congress, the Administration, and International Financial Institutions. Since the 2010 Haitian Earthquake, the HAWG has worked to ensure a just reconstruction and recovery effort in Haiti. Learn MoreWhat We Do
The HAWG is a reliable resource for analysis, advocacy and activism on Haiti. Participating groups meet regularly in Washington, DC to share timely information from Haiti and to coordinate advocacy efforts. We organize briefings on Capitol Hill and private meetings with policy-makers that are often the only gatherings to include Haitian civil society leaders. HAWG sub-committees dig deep into issues that relate to unmet and emerging needs on a variety of issues including cholera, climate change, aid accountability, democracy and elections.What You Can Do
Help keep Haiti on policy-maker's radar. Sign up to receive updates about emerging issues and action alerts. Look here for opportunities to call Congress, join a twitter campaign and be a human rights defender.
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Aid Accountability
The HAWG believes that consultation and coordination with domestic Haitian organizations and the Government of Haiti is critical to successful development, and advocates for systematic documentation of aid disbursement to ensure aid accountability and efficacy.
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Cholera Epidemic
The HAWG calls on the United Nations to fund and implement the Cholera Elimination Plan.
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Climate Change
Haiti is particularly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change -- including destructive hurricanes, droughts, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels-- which jeopardize Haitians' food security, infrastructure, and physical safety. Learn MoreElections and Democracy
The HAWG advocates for fair and timely elections free from intimidation, violence, and voter fraud.
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Latest news
Oxfam Releases New Report on USAID Local Governance Project in Haiti
In Haiti, the traditional centralization of power in Port-au-Prince has far-reaching effects, one of which is the limited influence of ordinary citizens on holding local officials accountable for providing basic services like trash removal, water and sanitation, and maintaining healthy and safe marketplaces. From 2013 to 2018, USAID carried out a project known as LOKAL+ that was aimed at supporting and strengthening ten district-level governments. Read More
UPDATED: 2 weeks after, what perspectives for Haiti?
2 semenn aprè, ki pèspektif pou peyi a?
Recorded July 21
Watch now in English e an Kreyol
Co-Organized by the Haitian Studies Association, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Haiti Response Coalition, Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University, and North American Congress on Latin America.
IJDH Releases Update on Human Rights and Rule of Law in Haiti
The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) just published its latest update on the human rights and rule of law situation in Haiti, which covers key recent developments relevant to human rights in Haiti from November 2020 through May 2021. This follows their previous updates from November 2020 and February 2020, as well as their longer analytical assessment from May 2019. Read More
Event: Haiti Below the Surface: Challenge and Opportunity
Join HAWG and The Episcopal Church for an educational event on the challenges and opportunities in addressing a wide array of issues in Haiti.
TIME: Jul 12, 03:00pm EDT
Recent turmoil in Haiti and a late outbreak of COVID-19 have drawn attention to the failings of the political system and international involvement, but have overshadowed many other aspects of society in need of attention, including the economy, environment, humanitarian concerns, and human security.
Virtual Panel – Haiti and the Biden/Harris Administration, What’s Next?
In honor of International Women’s Day, HAWG member Haitian Women’s Collective hosted a policy panel discussion with distinguished women speakers to discuss what’s next for Haiti in relation to the current Biden/Harris Administration.
Mon, March 8, 2021 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
The esteemed guest speakers include…
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Franciscka Lucien, Executive Director of The Institute for Justice and Democracy
Gabrielle Apollon, Haiti Project Deputy Director & Supervising Attorney at NYU’s Global Justice Clinic
Can Haiti’s Peanut Value Chain Survive US Generosity?
Research by PAPDA (the Haitian Advocacy Platform for Alternative Development) and Oxfam found that peanut value chain actors in Haiti face a number of serious constraints, including nonexistence of state support; weak organization; use of traditional production methods; and lack of access to irrigation and inputs, including herbicides to control aflatoxin, all in a context of poverty and vulnerable livelihoods. Read More
Honoring Those Who Passed by Building a Better Future
On the tenth anniversary of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, Haitians need aid policies that focus on an equitable and livable future
January 10, 2020 – Washington, DC – January 12th marks ten years after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Human rights groups, faith-based organizations, policy institutes, and humanitarian organizations of the Haiti Advocacy Working Group (HAWG) honor those who lost their lives on that day. Read More
House Members send letter to Sec. Pompeo on Haiti
Press release from Rep. Levin’s office:
Reps. Levin and Lee Send Letter to Sec. Pompeo Expressing Concerns over Violence Against Civil Protesters in Haiti
March 27, 2019
Press Release
Representatives Levin and Lee led a letter with 104 total bipartisan House members asking Secretary Pompeo to investigate corruption and human right violations by the Haitian government.
Oxfam publishes assessment of AVANSE
USAID’s AVANSE Project in Haiti: An assessment of its conformity with aid effectiveness principles.
In 2013, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) launched Appui à la Valorisation du Potentiel Agricole du Nord, pour la Sécurité Économique et Environnementale—Aid to Realize the Agricultural Potential of the North, for Economic and Environmental Security, or AVANSE—in northern Haiti. Read More