The mapping team at InterAction reflect on the earthquake in Haiti on its two year anniversary.
We have all seen the statistics: more than 1.5 million people displaced and 230,000 lives claimed. The January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti was the second deadliest on record in the last decade.
InterAction, an alliance of US-based disaster relief NGOs, recently launched an interactive map to help visualize “who is doing what, where?” in the Horn of Africa. The map features all active projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia, both those initiated in response to the crisis as well as those initiated prior to the crisis, in response to the longer term needs of the communities in the region.
The easy-to-use map allows you to drill down on a specific organization’s projects by sector, country or region. Click on the image above to explore the graphic now.
It’s almost summer here in Washington, DC—and you know what that means? Time to sign-up for national conferences! Several of our partners are hosting events and advocacy workshops in Washington, DC from May through July, and we hope you’ll be able to join them.
Find out more and RSVP by clicking the links below—and don’t forget to tell your family and friends to sign-up, too!
Mark your calendars! This June 2-4, our friends at InterAction invite you to attend Forum 2010: Moving at the Speed of Change. At this multi-day event in Washington, DC, participants will connect, engage and influence with more than 100 experts from around the world and over 1000 professionals from more than 250 NGOs, corporations, foundations and governments. Join in discussions on a whole host of issues, from budget appropriations and military communications to global data mapping and the MDGs in 2010.
To register for the forum and learn more about the exciting schedule of events, click here.
Calling all photographers! Our partners at InterAction just launched their 8th annual photo contest—and they want you to apply. They’re asking that folks submit “provocative photos that illustrate innovative, effective and inspiring efforts in international relief and development” that take place in the field outside of the US. Deadline for entry is March 30th—and six winners get a prize!
InterAction member organizations have raised more than $200 million for Haiti relief efforts from millions of donors across America. Whether through faith-based groups like Catholic Relief Services, American Jewish World Service, Lutheran World Relief and World Vision—or broader-based organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children and Heifer International—more than 80 of our organizations are a crucial part of relief efforts in Haiti.
InterAction members do not make up the totality of the US NGO response in Haiti but they do make up 80-90% and they are the sole group that has agreed to meet the highest global NGO standards. InterAction’s 193 members work with 1800 corporations, they represent 13.7 million people in red and blue states, and they come from all faith groups. These NGOs will be in Haiti for the long haul and we urge Americans to support the full diversity of NGOs that are committed to rebuilding Haiti. Click here for more details.
The 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, also known as the G-20, will continue its focus on resolving the global economic crisis when it meets next Thursday and Friday, September 24 and 25. Recent financial indicators have led many economists and U.S. policymakers, including President Obama, to become increasingly optimistic about the global financial outlook. While the situation may be improving, there is still work to be done.
Given that the financial crisis – which started in the U.S. – has disproportionately affected poor and developing countries, InterAction believes developing nations’ economic concerns should be well-represented at the G-20. As the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian NGOs, we have been organizing the NGO community to advocate the G-20 for pro-poor policy reforms. Our strategy has been two-fold:
First, several NGOs came together to write policy briefs that outline two key concerns (Climate Change and Economic Crisis) and recommendations for addressing them. In August, these briefs were hand-delivered and discussed with the U.S.’s lead representative to the G-20 Summit.
Second, we have established an NGO Hub to provide workspace for some of the many organizations that will be present in Pittsburgh next week. While only one representative per NGO has been promised access to the Summit, it’s important that they are on hand to amplify key messages to policymakers and the media. Having our voices heard in the media is key to ensuring that the economic concerns of the developing world are not forgotten amidst discussions about how to stabilize the global economy.
The InterAction alliance and several partner organizations will be on-the-ground and plan to be a strong, vocal presence. Visit http://www.interaction.org/pittsburgh-g20-summit for more details.
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food.
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS.
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
