French sword fighter Laura Flessel visiting the child she sponsors through Plan in southeast Haiti

An estimated 80% of people live below the poverty line in Haiti.
We work with local people, to support them in tackling issues such as:

• poor health and housing conditions
• low incomes and the implications of this
• difficult farming conditions
• lack of access to clean, safe water
• poor access to health and education facilities

About Haiti

It is part of a Caribbean island called Hispaniola, sharing it with neighbouring Dominican Republic.
More than one in ten children die before they reach age 5.

Economy and politics: once a Caribbean powerhouse of sugar and coffee production, years of a repressive regime led to Haiti's fall from wealth. The economic collapse has been devastating: the country is crippled by huge foreign debts.
Social and political turmoil with accompanying violence is an ongoing feature in Haiti.

Malnutrition is an immense problem: the typical diet consists mainly of rice and beans.

Health care is scarce and quite expensive.

Agriculture is the key sector in Haiti's economy. Most of the rural population work as independent farmers.

Education for children aged 7 to 14 is free and compulsory in theory, yet it's out of reach for most families. Most schools are private, and most can't afford the school fees, uniforms, books and supplies. Over half the adult population are illiterate, and many don't see the value in education.