The Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), created by American actor Sean Penn, shortly after the January 2010 earthquake, has become a leader in Haiti by improving living conditions in the camps and neighborhoods, clearing rubble, providing medical services, education, enrichment programs and housing construction and redevelopment of neighborhoods.

With a team of nearly 400 employees of which 98% are Haitian and with the support of the Government, J/P HRO has intensified its efforts in the relocation of residents of camps of Petion Ville Club and of Cité Maxo, towards safe and sustainable housing in neighboring communities. 60,000 of the first inhabitants of the camp, 77% (46.230), returned home. Today, only 4,173 families still live in these camps.

"J/P HROis one of the few humanitarian organizations in Haiti that continues to manage the camps by providing a variety of essential services," stated Gary Philoctetes, Deputy Director of J/P HRO, noting that more than 3 years after the January 2010 earthquake "[...] Our teams continue to protect camp residents and to provide better living conditions, access to health care in two community clinics, of emergency care 24/24, and a quality education to 430 children."

Thanks to community development activities and programs of engineering and construction, the organization of the American actor, supports the inhabitants of Delmas 32 and Delmas 40b in the transformation of their neighborhoods. The responsible of the Community Development Program works with the Ministry of Education to strengthen local schools and allow the community to have access to education. In addition, J/P HRO offers of programs for young people such as music, martial arts, creative arts and dance club as well as training in entrepreneurship and awareness seminars in community health. The team of engineering and construction of J/P HRO jointly with the Ministry of Public Works, working to rehabilitate and modernize housing for 97 families, build 29 houses, restore three schools and set up throughout the neighborhood a system for purifying water in kiosks using solar energy. By November 2013, this team should have renovated houses to provide complexes that will house 280 additional families.

In addition, J/P HRO, provides protection services for vulnerable residents still living in the camp through a program of peaceful conflict resolution, developed in coordination with the community. The National Police of Haiti has established a sub-station in the camp of Petion Ville Club and works to prevent crime and certain risks with the support of the United Nations Police (UNPOL).

With the support of Government of Haiti, the team of relocation of J/P HRO provides financial support to camp residents and supports families to ensure that they find safe housing and they return to their neighborhoods. The Organization of Sean Penn is firmly committed to the residents of the camps and the surrounding areas, including the community of Delmas 32. While each family operates a safe and complete relocation towards their neighborhoods, J/P HRO redouble efforts to work with the community to build housing and infrastructure that promote social activity, education, health and the economy.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8113-haiti-social-grant-of-$875-million-for-the-organization-of-sean-penn.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7002-haiti-humanitarian-sean-penn-receives-the-international-humanitarian-service-award.html

HL/ HaitiLibre