Start Date: Jul 27 2010, 2:00pm

Haiti: Groups to Press Array of Concerns at
Event Tuesday

From Education to Gender Violence, Lineup to
Address Gaps in Reconstruction

WASHINGTON, DC -- As Haiti passes the 6 month mark of its attempts to recover from a massive earthquake, Haiti Civil Society and Diaspora members covering different aspects of the recovery will press their cases before Congress on Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

Haiti's recovery has been viewed as halting and in disarray by a growing variety of observers.  Civil society organizations (CSOs) have been alarmed at the conditions for displaced persons, violence against women, forced displacement of camps, and more.

Civil Society is calling for a place in reconstruction planning, implementation and assessment. CSOs say every aspect of Haiti's recovery is threatened by factors that include a trickle of aid pledged by nations worldwide, Haiti's social gaps prior to the disaster, and bureaucratic shortcomings in the coordination of aid.

Tuesday's event will present CSO leaders speaking to all major aspects of Haiti's recovery, offering prescriptions for both immediate needs and systemic corrections they say are vital if recovery is to become sustainable.

WHAT:   Event:  "Focus on Haiti: The Road to Recovery - A Six Month Review"    

               Sponsor: Congressional Black Caucus

WHEN:   Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

WHERE: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC

WHO:    Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID

                Marie St. Fleur, Chief of Advocacy & Strategic Investment,   
                Office of the Mayor - Boston, MA

                Camille Chalmers, Executive Director, PAPDA

                Loune Viaud, Director of Strategic Planning, Zanmi Lasante (PIH)