Accomplishments to Date

1. Food Packet Messaging
2. Relief and Development Briefing for Aid and Relief Workers & Doctors at War Trafficking Cards
3. T-Shirts: A Low-Tech Solution to spread the anti-trafficking message across Haiti
4. Public Service Announcements: Anti-Trafficking Jingles
5. [NEW] Ayiti SMS Helpline to Address Violence Against Women/Children and Child Trafficking
   

The Problem

The earthquake in Haiti has created a state of emergency. The crisis is of epic proportions, and disaster relief teams are struggling to rescue Haitians and provide food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance, and other emergency relief. Over the next weeks this work will continue, but a secondary phenomenon is already developing: hundreds of thousands of Haitians have been displaced from their homes. Many are wandering in the streets, afraid to go inside for fear of aftershocks. Thousands are migrating in search of food, clothing, shelter and medical services. From previous experience, we know that natural disasters present dangerous secondary circumstances which may, if not addressed on the front end, result in human trafficking and other forms exploitation.

A Basic Message

Working with NGOs already on the ground, the Haiti Human Trafficking Coalition (HHTC) will deliver simple, clear information on the dangers of human trafficking, gender based violence, and other forms exploitation in the wake of the disaster. The messages, in English and Creole, is reaching out across Haiti in the form of food packet messaging, T-Shirts, Public Service Announcements and radio jingles.

1. Food packets. The campaign was launched with a series of brightly colored messages on food packets for 1,000,000 prepared and delivered by the Salvation Army. Several other relief and development organizations, churches and faith-based organizations, and community centers are preparing new messages. A second and third wave of messaging will go out on hygiene and first aid kits, and other care packages. Finally, we are working on a set of specialized messages for children and teens, to be delivered with gum, candy, puzzles, and other small fun items.

2. PSAs. Since half the Haitian population is not literate, the messages must be simple and easily understood. Word of mouth is the best way to spread the word. In addition to messages on food and water, radio can be utilized to spread simple messages raising awareness of the heightened danger of human trafficking and related forms of exploitation after the earthquake. We are developing songs and jingles to air on popular Haitian radio stations.

3. Website. The Global Centurion website has information, prevention messages, and more to help build awareness and facilitate communications. The website has all partner logos in a banner, and will continue to update the community on the latest developments. Partner organizations are also being encouraged to post the anti-trafficking campaign messages on their own websites and to link to the main website.

Contact:

Laura J. Lederer

Global Centurion

703 919 6828 (cell)

703 815 8501 (landline)

202 546 8172 (office)

*Thank you to Equitas Group, The Home Foundation, The Greenbaum Foundation, Love146, First Fruit, and several anonymous donors for supporting this project.