Haiti: Relief and Recovery

Immediately after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January, the international community launched relief efforts. Hundreds of organizations are now helping to save lives and rebuild the country while millions of people around the world have donated money and supplies. This site highlights these efforts, pulling in articles and media from across the web. More about this project »

The Haiti Earthquake: How microfinance is helping

28 January 2010

Over on the CGAP site, a great overview on the importance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in reconstruction and recovery after a natural disaster: “MFIs are not, and nor should they be, asked to be relief organizations,” says CGAP Deputy CEO Alexia Latortue. “But this does not mean business as usual. Financial services will be crucial to helping clients recover and rebuild. Financial services aren’t just a “nice-to-have” in this situation. Valuable services like accessing savings and transfers from families abroad can be a vital lifeline, and for some families the ability to access cash may mean the difference between life and death.”   Read the whole feature over on the CGAP site for a look at the role financial services play in recovery efforts. (Photo from the CGAP Microfinance Flickr photostream.)