JDC PARTNERS WITH PRODEV FOUNDATION TO OPEN 10 SCHOOLS IN PORT-AU-PRINCE

With $6 Million Raised, JDC Relief Projects Deliver Clean Water, Shelter, and Medical Aid

NEW YORK, NY, March 16, 2010 – As part of its ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), is partnering with the Prodev Foundation, a local Haitian NGO that focuses on education and development, to fund the operation of 10 temporary schools for displaced children in Port-au-Prince. The schools – “Kay Timoun” (Children's Haven in Creole) – will provide free education and a daily meal to 2,000 children, ages 6-14.

“As the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, we are proud to be using our expertise to bring ongoing relief to the people of Haiti,” said JDC CEO Steven Schwager. “Our continued assessment of vital needs on the ground informed our decision to fund the Kay Timoun schools and to work together with Prodev to ensure these children now begin to regain a sense of normality in their daily lives.”

The schools’ curriculum will be based on a 60/40 divide between academic subjects and other recreational activities including sports. Additionally, the schools will train and monitor teachers, university students, and volunteers to help create a stable educational program for these displaced children.

This is the second project that JDC and Prodev have collaborated on in Haiti. Through the partnership, JDC has already sponsored the building of 115 water tanks near tent villages offering clean water supplies to displaced Haitians.

In addition to these projects, JDC’s relief effort with its partners on the ground in Haiti continues to deliver clean water, shelter, and medical aid. New projects include:

JDC’s funding additional water supply projects through the International Rescue Committee providing sources of clean, potable water in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding community.

JDC’s funding of shelter kits containing a family tent, tarp, a hammer and nails, and other essential items, for 1,250 displaced families through Catholic Relief Services.

JDC’s partnership with International Medical Corps brining medical assistance through a clinic in Miragoane, a town approximately 50 miles from Port-au-Prince on Haiti’s Western coast; and one boat clinic serving three remote coastal communities in Haiti.

JDC’s purchase of five desperately needed ambulances for Zanmi Lasante/Partners in Health to transport internally displaced persons between medical clinics in Port-au-Prince, the Central Plateau, and the lower Artibonite Valley. Additionally, JDC is supporting through Zama Asante/Partners in Health the treatment of some 2,200 children within the internally displaced population suffering from malnutrition.

JDC’s grant supporting Magen David Adom (MDA), whose first Health Emergency Response Unit—a team of five medical staff—is spending four weeks helping victims. JDC also funded mission that traveled in Haiti to assess what equipment and services will be required to help thousands of amputees rebuild their lives.

JDC has continued its support of Heart to Heart International in providing medical care, equipment, and services to earthquake victims. JDC funded the purchase of two trucks and two SUVs to transport Heart to Heart’s teams of doctors, nurses, and other assistance to communities in need outside of Port-au-Prince such as Leogane and Jacmel where adequate relief has been slow to reach.

JDC continues to coordinate its activities with the US Department of State, USAID, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Israeli relief agencies, and the United Nations, and local Haitian NGO's. JDC relief efforts are part of its International Development Program (IDP), which provides immediate relief and long-term assistance to victims of natural and manmade disaster.