International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Help Haiti Build Back Better

The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 had a devastating effect, killing over 200,000 people and leaving thousands more injured or homeless and much of the Port-au-Prince area in ruins.  President Obama recently signed legislation that includes almost $1 billion in additional funding for Haiti. However, the funding is only as good as the plan for how to spend it. To build back better, Haiti needs a smart, long-term plan. Tell your Senators and Representative to support the Haiti Empowerment, Assistance and Rebuilding (HEAR) Act by emailing them directly from the IRC website.

As reconstruction efforts in Haiti shift from short-term emergency response to longer-term development, the United States needs a smart framework to ensure aid money is well spent.
That is why Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Robert Corker (R-TN) have introduced S. 3317, the Haiti Empowerment, Assistance and Rebuilding (HEAR) Act. Representative John Conyers (D-MI) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, H.R. 6021.


This legislation authorizes aid for Haiti from 2010 to 2014, puts forth U.S. aid priorities and sets up benchmarks for success.  It also sets up a reporting and accountability system so both U.S. taxpayers and Haitians can see where money is going.

Tell your representatives that Haiti needs a smart, long-term plan for reconstruction and recovery.  Ask them to support the HEAR Act.