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The Return of Economic Activity Eases Strain on Aid in Haiti

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Nick Chapin
Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Development, Food, Health, Humanitarian Aid, Informal Economy, Trade
Countries: Haiti, United States
Cassandra Nelson helps to distribute high-energy biscuits to locals at a hospital in Port-au-Prince. <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/cassandranelson/blog/19526">Mercy Corps</a>
Cassandra Nelson helps to distribute high-energy biscuits to locals at a hospital in Port-au-Prince. Mercy Corps

Yesterday the banks reopened in Haiti for the first time since the earthquake rocked the small island on January 12th.

Mercy Corps' spokeswoman Cassandra Nelson, who is on the ground in Port-au-Prince, stressed the importance of the banks reopening in her latest post on the Mercy Corps blog. "This means a lot to the aid effort, because there are a lot of people in Port-au-Prince who have some money — maybe not a lot — but they were having to live on handouts simply because they couldn't access their money." Without cash on hand, even wealthier Haitians were forced to seek handouts while the banks were closed.

As cash became more readily available throughout the day, Nelson saw the street economy reinvigorate from the rubble of damaged store fronts. Hawkers selling bananas and mangoes are helping restart the flow of food and resources within the country, allowing aid agencies to focus on those who are most in need of help.

You can keep up with the latest news about Mercy Corps' relief efforts in Haiti by clicking here.

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Keywords: Haiti earthquake

Comments

Sun, 02/07/2010 - 18:54 — Jasmine Baumgart (not verified) in Anoka High School

Our high school's Amnesty

Our high school's Amnesty International group is holding a benefit concert to raise money for Haiti, and we're sending it via Mercy Corps. Thank you for being a readily available aid source and also a great reference source - I'm using you're article on free trade vs. fair trade to help write an essay for my Econ class. It's amazing what this organization does for those in need.

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