Urging Protection of Women and Girls in Haiti Earthquake Response

Rights in Humanitarian Crises
UUSC signed on to a letter to Secretary of State Clinton and USAID Administrator Shah urging that protection needs of women and girls be integrated into the immediate response to the earthquake that has devastated Haiti. It also calls for full funding of this work by the United States and other donors. The letter highlights specific actions that should be taken by various sectors to prevent gender-based violence and improve treatment for survivors.

Purpose
The purpose of this action was to show broad-based support for integrating the protection needs of women and girls into the humanitarian response to the crisis in Haiti and to encourage full funding for this work. Our goal is to get as much funding as possible through this legislative vehicle so that Haiti funding doesn't get tangled up in frozen budgets during the normal appropriations process. We request the money be available over a two-year period so that it doesn't overwhelm the country and sustainable rebuilding is led by Haitians.