Pan-African Solidarity with Haiti
22nd January 2010
The earthquake that recently struck Haiti has caused unprecedented devastation and suffering to the country and its people. Wednesday’s aftershock aggravated an already grave humanitarian crisis.
Across Africa, government, church, business and civil society leaders are mobilizing support for the people of Haiti. In South Africa, CIVICUS and its partners — African Monitor, TrustAfrica, the Southern Africa Trust, CAF Southern Africa, the South African Red Cross Society, the National Welfare Forum, and Ivan May through 1485 Radio Today on 1484 AM in Jozi and through SADC (also DStv 169), the Synergos Institute, the NEPAD Business Foundation and the African Women’s Foresight Network* — have agreed to join what is known as the "Africa for Haiti Campaign" and to help in co-ordinating efforts.
The campaign has the support of church, business and civil society leaders including Mrs Graça Machel, Archbishops Desmond Tutu, Njongonkulu Ndungane, Malusi Mpumlwana, Thabo Makgoba, and businessmen Trevor Ncube and Reuel Khoza.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted a press conference at its offices in Houghton on 22 January where more details were provided about the "Africa for Haiti" Campaign.
The "Africa for Haiti" campaign will identify, in partnership with Haitian civil society organizations, initiatives in which it can assist. It also hopes to provide Africans from all walks of life an opportunity to demonstrate their collective solidarity and support for the people of Haiti thereby uniting Africans in compassion and giving.
Addressing the press conference Mrs Machel suggested that the "Africa for Haiti" campaign focuses its efforts on reconstruction in Haiti. The objective of this campaign is not to provide immediate relief but rather to contribute toward the medium to long-term reconstruction of communities in Haiti. As a result, it is estimated that fundraising for this campaign may continue for six months.
The campaign also aims to unite individuals, NGOs and corporates across Africa behind this cause by disseminating information and enlisting support from their extensive networks.
* The members of the African Women’s Foresight Network are: Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, Bineta Diop, Aleya Hammad, Graça Machel, Gertrude Mongella, Gisele Yitamben, Mamphela Ramphele, and Mary Wandia.
For more information contact:
The earthquake that recently struck Haiti has caused unprecedented devastation and suffering to the country and its people. Wednesday’s aftershock aggravated an already grave humanitarian crisis.
Across Africa, government, church, business and civil society leaders are mobilizing support for the people of Haiti. In South Africa, CIVICUS and its partners — African Monitor, TrustAfrica, the Southern Africa Trust, CAF Southern Africa, the South African Red Cross Society, the National Welfare Forum, and Ivan May through 1485 Radio Today on 1484 AM in Jozi and through SADC (also DStv 169), the Synergos Institute, the NEPAD Business Foundation and the African Women’s Foresight Network* — have agreed to join what is known as the "Africa for Haiti Campaign" and to help in co-ordinating efforts.
The campaign has the support of church, business and civil society leaders including Mrs Graça Machel, Archbishops Desmond Tutu, Njongonkulu Ndungane, Malusi Mpumlwana, Thabo Makgoba, and businessmen Trevor Ncube and Reuel Khoza.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted a press conference at its offices in Houghton on 22 January where more details were provided about the "Africa for Haiti" Campaign.
The "Africa for Haiti" campaign will identify, in partnership with Haitian civil society organizations, initiatives in which it can assist. It also hopes to provide Africans from all walks of life an opportunity to demonstrate their collective solidarity and support for the people of Haiti thereby uniting Africans in compassion and giving.
Addressing the press conference Mrs Machel suggested that the "Africa for Haiti" campaign focuses its efforts on reconstruction in Haiti. The objective of this campaign is not to provide immediate relief but rather to contribute toward the medium to long-term reconstruction of communities in Haiti. As a result, it is estimated that fundraising for this campaign may continue for six months.
The campaign also aims to unite individuals, NGOs and corporates across Africa behind this cause by disseminating information and enlisting support from their extensive networks.
* The members of the African Women’s Foresight Network are: Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, Bineta Diop, Aleya Hammad, Graça Machel, Gertrude Mongella, Gisele Yitamben, Mamphela Ramphele, and Mary Wandia.
For more information contact:
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Buhle Mpofu-Makamanzi African Monitor tel: +27.21.713.2801 mobile: +27.82.898.8488 buhle@africanmonitor.org www.africanmonitor.org |
Bhekinkosi Moyo TrustAfrica tel: +221.33.869.4693 mobile: +27.78.111.2091 moyo@trustafrica.org www.trustafrica.org |