UNICEF, along with many international organizations, has reduced its staff in Haiti as it transitions from humanitarian response and service delivery to development priorities following the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Now, the U.N. agency is looking to deliver on its goals of improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities and reducing malnutrition in the country, especially in rural areas. To do it, they’ll need to increase the capacity of the Haitian government to successfully provide these services, UNICEF Haiti representative Marc Vincent told Devex.
After an emergency like the one brought on by the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti five years ago, organizations must immediately source talent with experience setting up coordination structures, logistics and planning. And because Haiti is vulnerable to natural disasters, UNICEF will always make sure to have staff on hand for quick delivery surge capacity, but “it would be fair to say we’re looking more toward those with post-emergency development experience who know how to encourage and nurture the transition period,” Vincent said of current needs.