Sociocultural and Psychosocial Work and the Establishment of Sociocultural and Psychosocial Centers for Traumatised People in the Earthquake Region of Haiti

Funded by and in cooperation with Caritas international

The project, implemented in cooperation with Caritas international, was intended as a sustainable contribution to helping the Haitian population to help themselves, i.e. social and psychosocial capacity development that would provide support and care to people traumatised by the earthquake of 12 January 2010 as well as the civil war. It included establishing sociocultural and psychosocial centers, especially in Jacmel and Léogâne, qualifying 30 people as community caregivers as well as 20 psychologists and social workers as psychosocial counselors, establishing and strengthening social networks and a wide range of sociocultural activities.

Our concept included three consecutive steps:

Understanding the past

The Haitians were to be supported in understanding the effects of the earthquake that hit them and what consequences it could have on their lives. Expressive artistic and theatrical forms of expression were used as a way of processing it, and this created a social context for the individual experiences as well as developing or supporting communication and social responsibilities.

Coping with the new situation

Providing psychological and skills support should empower Haitians to use their own potential, regain influence over their lives and share responsibility with others.

Participating in reshaping the future

The objective here was to develop culture-sensitive programmes to strengthen social and cultural identities, to activate cultural resources and to involve local actors and the local population of all ages in the programme activities. Great importance was attached to the dialogue between different stakeholders within society and to strengthening personal and community responsibilities for the environment.