Improving Security in Haiti through Relationship Building in the Community

This initiative seeks to address youth violence in Haiti by engaging and empowering youth and young adults to have a voice in community decision making. In Haiti youth who increasingly lack hope for the future have limited economic opportunities have experienced interruptions in their education have broken ties with families and have experienced violence and discrimination. With GAC’s support Mercy Corps addresses two key drivers of community violence: (1) a lack of voice for youth and young adults in decisions affecting their communities; and (2) scarce social and economic opportunities that offer productive alternatives to crime and violence. Mercy Corps intends to implement targeted activities that address specific drivers of violence for different age groups of the community which include female male and priority youth and adolescents.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased partnership between communities and police on achieving security; (2) increased youth participation in community decision-making and peacebuilding processes; and (3) increased demonstration of constructive behaviours and positive participation by youth in Haiti’s Carrefour Feuilles Canaan and Arcahaie and Miragoane communities.