Program Background

The January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti has had a widespread impact on individuals, families, and communities.  In addition to the traumatic experience of living through the earthquake, many individuals have experienced widespread loss including the loss of home, possessions, family members, friends, and community. Individuals continue to experience significant challenges as a result of not only the disruption to the fabric of their lives, but also as a consequence of these multiple losses. Individuals are attempting to meet their basic needs, while also having to manage normal emotional and psychological reactions to the catastrophic earthquake. In Petit Goave, a small town in the Southwest region of Haiti, communities are facing psychosocial challenges as a result of the earthquake yet lack important services. 

Program Summary

To respond to these emotional and psychological needs as a result of the earthquake, Heartland Alliance is implementing psychosocial programming in Petit Goave. The program applies a community-based model that is culturally appropriate and self-sustaining, and that effectively meets the psychosocial needs of earthquake-affected individuals, families, and communities.

Heartland Alliance will provide trainings to community and religious leaders in psychosocial approaches, assist in developing school-based programming with teachers, and design radio content that will increase community awareness of normal reactions to the earthquake and self care and stress management strategies. The program is being implemented in partnership with CHF International, who has been based in Petit Goave for several years. 

Program Activities

To provide psychosocial services, Heartland Alliance is currently:

• Designing school-based programming to decrease post-trauma symptoms and facilitate psychological recovery in children and adolescents impacted by the earthquake.
• Developing community-based interventions by providing trainings and support to  religious leaders, teachers, and community leaders
• Selecting and training psychosocial counselors to increase capacity and sustainability of psychosocial programming in the Petit Goave
• Developing radio programming to increase community awareness about normal psychosocial reactions to the earthquake.