A CAFRA INITIATIVE

OUR OUTREACH TO HAITI

(see attachment to view the pictures)

The solidarity camp is named after Myriam Merlet, a feminist activist and National Representative for CAFRA in Haiti, who was killed in the earthquake. As an outspoken activist, Merlet helped draw international attention to the use of rape as a political weapon. The Feminist International Solidarity Camp to help mobilize and transfer resources, and to open channels of communications directly with Haitian women will open next week on the frontier Jemaní between the Dominican Republic & Haiti. CAFRA continues to play an important role in this project organized collectively by women’s groups in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere in Latin America & the Caribbean and beyond, the Camp will be eventually handed over to Haitian women. The international solidarity camp is named after Myriam Merlet, It is organized as a Resource Center for international solidarity efforts to send resources directly to the women of Haiti, and also work with Human Rights defenders from Haiti to monitor, denounce and demand legal action regarding violations of human rights including women’s human rights during the earthquake and the aftermath. Also to be included is a Health Center to help deal the grief, injuries, illnesses and traumas of the earthquake. Coordinators of these efforts include the Women & Health Collective (COMUS) a women’s human rights and health NGO, and CIPAF, a feminist NGO of the Dominican Republic that works in building social/political movement. The space will also serve as a Communications Center to include radio transmissions via Internet by FIRE (Feminist International Radio Endeavour), as well as blogs, and electronic networks organized by women’s communication networks throughout the region.

Haitian activists and women in Haiti have been receiving donations from the Myriam Merlet International Feminist Solidarity Camp from January 28th 2010 when a delegation from CAFRA and the Feminist International Radio Enterprise (FARE) traveled to Port au Prince to meet with Haitian feminist activists from various organizations, among them SOPHA (The Strengthening of Public Health Associations) and ENFOFAM (Association of Women and Gender Studies from Countries in Transition). The International Solidarity Camp was named after Myriam Merlet, the CAFRA National Representative for Haiti, who died during the recent eqrthquake.

Truckloads of food, medicine, lamps, batteries, tanks of gas, camping tents, sleeping bags, and other personal toiletries were donated, going directly to activists who are reorganizing themselves in the capital to work with the most vulnerable sections of the population: the women and children. This level of assistance was possible because of the solidarity of so many organizations in the Dominican Republic and unified response of organizations and people who have quickly responded to this initiative. CAFRA Interim Chairperson Flavia Cherry was present when the first set of supplies were handed over in Port Au Prince. She has expressed appreciation to the many CAFRA members across the Caribbean regional who are sending supplies of feminine hygiene products and other much needed supplies to the Myriam Merlet International Feminist Solidarity Camp. Goods can be sent to the following address for the Solidarity Camp in the DR:

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR HAITI Sergia Galvan and Mayra Tavarez Colectiva Mujeres Y Salud Calle Jose Gabriel Garcia No 501, Ciudad Nueva Santo Domingo Republica Dominicana 1-809-682-3128 or 809-315-0571

BY: Floretta Louis, Senior Administrative Officer - CAFRA

Please Email us for more details and how to contribute to this special initiative: cafra@candw.lc or cafraregional@yahoo.com