Rebuilding Haiti's infrastructure, people's lives, and their grassroots movement for Social Justice

The tragedy of Haiti moves us to act and to give of ourselves. Hundreds of millions of dollars are pouring into relief funds run by people working tirelessly to get aid to where it's desperately needed. Still, we find ourselves wondering or asking: "where can we send our support so that we know it's used effectively and consistent with our values?"

Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) has reached out to our sister farmworker organization, the National Confederation of Farmworkers (CONFENACA) in the Dominican Republic (DR), led by a courageous and diligent leader, Luis Ureña. Years ago, Luis established the Dominico-Haitiano Project, which organizes to improve the living and working conditions for Haitian farmworkers in the Dominican Republic. Haitians are, at best, second-class workers in the DR, but Luis' and CONFENACA's commitment to class solidarity has compelled them to reject nationalist differences and historic grudges.

Luis is calling for our assistance in helping with the tragedy in Haiti. CONFENACA has organized immediate relief, arranging the delivery of 18 truckload of humanitarian aid to Haiti. Meanwhile, Haitian workers are flooding into the DR. Hundreds are arriving in La Vega, three hours from the border.

CONFENACA is housing and feeding Haitians who arrive in La Vega. They are only the first wave. As time passes, the Dominican people will be overwhelmed as they encounter and respond to more earthquake victims.

PCUN has worked with CONFENACA for sixteen years and what we know is that any assistance we can send to CONFENACA will be well-used and will build the movement for social change. Without that movement, there will be no end to the injustices and exploitation which have long plagued the Haitian people and which directly contributed to the massive deaths, as people were crushed by buildings which, thanks to poverty and corruption, lacked even basic seismic integrity.

PCUN and CAUSA have resolved to answer Luis' call. We're launching a campaign to raise $5,000 by February 1st. PCUN and CAUSA are each committing $500. We call on our sister organizations, their staff, the community, and on our allies to contribute immediately and as generously as they can.

Donations can be made by clicking on the "DONATE NOW" button below, or by linking here. You can also mail checks payable to "CAUSA" to 700 Marion Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301. Be sure to put "Haiti Relief Fund" in the memo. CAUSA will count every contribution received between now and February 1st as a contribution to support CONFENACA.

Please join with us to help the Haitian people endure and re-build their country on a new foundation of equity and social justice

Posted in: CAUSA,CONFENACA,Haiti,Humanitarian Aid,Infrastructure,Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste,Social Justice