Open Society Institute Responds to Crisis in Haiti

The Open Society Institute stands in solidarity with the people of Haiti as the country struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010.

Following the quake, the Open Society Institute's foundation in Haiti, FOKAL, immediately mobilized, with everyone doing whatever possible to help their community and country. The foundation's building, which miraculously is still standing, is serving as a safe haven for hundreds of the city's homeless. Each night more than 600 people sleep in FOKAL's backyard, fearing the tremors which continue to rattle Port-au-Prince.

On January 15, the Open Society Institute, guided by FOKAL, gave an initial grant of $4 million to support four organizations currently doing life-saving work on the ground: Medecins Sans Frontieres, Save the Children, CARE, and Catholic Relief Services.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that ravaged the country, Lorraine Mangonès, executive director of FOKAL, and Michèle Pierre-Louis, prime minister of Haiti until November 2009 and newly appointed head of OSI's reconstruction efforts, spoke by phone about the situation on the ground.

George Soros is a longtime supporter of Haiti. He has given some $50 million through his foundations to support public libraries, community water programs, and other projects including urban revitalization in Port-au-Prince. The Soros Economic Development Fund, a sister foundation that works to alleviate poverty, has helped thousands of Haitian entrepreneurs secure microcredit loans.

Our hearts and thoughts are with Haiti. The Open Society Institute will continue to monitor events and seek creative ways to help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives and communities.

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The Fondation Connaissance et Liberté (FOKAL) seeks to unite civil society across Haiti and nurture local and international alliances to restore peace, foster economic development, and promote urban revitalization. It is also a leading supporter within Haiti of youth and education, community libraries, and arts and culture.

Photographs © Ron Haviv/VII for the Open Society Institute.