RSS
Employment Opportunities
As Haitians embark on their road to recovery, Episcopal Relief & Development and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti will work to facilitate economic independence for those made most vulnerable by the quake. Through a series of cash-for-work programs, Haitians will be empowered to participate and take leadership in community-based recovery efforts.
At least 1,300 men and women have begun to benefit from a cash-for-work initiative, gaining short-term employment and a monthly salary of approximately $100. There will be opportunities to participate in at least 40 church-led community recovery projects including rubble removal; rehabilitation of local markets, clinics, schools and churches; hurricane preparedness through rebuilding of roads and ditches; and assistance for vulnerable community members (e.g., the elderly, the ill and pregnant women). These cash-for-work opportunities will assist both those living in the quake zone as well as those who have temporarily relocated to non-quake zones to live with family members.
The cash-for-work initiative has three main objectives:
Providing economic support for more than 1,800 individuals and their families, with an intentional effort to include women and youth in cash-for-work projects
Currently, many families in urban areas remain not only homeless, but also without gainful employment as many businesses were destroyed and the economy is struggling to rebound. In addition, those living in rural areas have become the hosts for an overwhelming number of family members and friends displaced by the destruction in Port-au-Prince. These conditions have created increased financial need for many families, which the cash-for-work programs will help alleviate.
Providing short-term occupation, sense of structure and reduction of stress for cash-for-work program participants
Financial difficulties are increasing stress for many of those affected by the quake. In many cases, individuals under high levels of stress may engage in aggressive or risky behavior as they struggle to get by. The cash-for-work programs will provide people with a meaningful occupation, helping individuals feel both valued and productive.
Creating a space for Haitians to become engaged in the recovery work and allowing community committees to identify needs and set priorities
After many major emergencies, those impacted are often excluded from the recover process, which is coordinated by large international aid agencies, NGOs and governmental bodies. Cash-for-work programs will allow Haitian community leaders to form committees and decide what recovery projects are most important to them. They will then engage members of their own communities to help with the recovery work, giving Haitians a feeling of ownership and action in the recovery process.
