“We can’t do anything. All we can do is pray” Haitians speak, humanitarians react: Event takeaways

Here's what guests had to say at an event exploring what crisis-affected Haitians think of the aid response.

The international aid community claims to prioritise accountability to – and the participation of – affected people, but Haitians say they’re far from being at the centre of relief efforts. Research with over 1,000 crisis-affected Haitians conducted by Ground Truth Solutions in partnership with The New Humanitarian found aid to be disempowering to those it's meant to serve. Most Haitians have little trust in the aid system, believe it is leaving them out of the decision-making, and say it doesn’t meet their most important needs. 

Tune in to hear the results of the research, and the reactions from a range of humanitarian responders working in Haiti today. What do these findings tell us about aid in Haiti, and what broader implications are there for the aid sector?

Guests: 

Marie Rose Romain Murphy, Co-Founder, Haiti Community Foundation; Founder of ESPWA, Inc. (Economic Stimulus Projects for Work and Action) 

Dr. Jerry Chandler, Director General, DGPC (Haitian Civil Protection Agency) 

Fernando Hiraldo, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General; Resident Coordinator for Development, and Humanitarian Coordinator 

Meg Sattler, Director, Ground Truth Solutions 

Jessica Alexander, Policy editor-at-large, 

The New Humanitarian (moderator) 

This event is supported by H2H Network and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.