Engaging urban communities in the Haiti Earthquake Response: Lessons learned from the shelter program

The Haiti Earthquake in 2010 is one of the largest urban disasters in recent times. Issues of limited social cohesion, lack of space, gang control of camps and the huge numbers of people in need combined to pose major challenges to the IFRC in how to deliver traditional emergency response activities like hygiene promotion and shelter provision. Unable to rely on traditional community structures like the village committees and tribal chiefs, the Red Cross turned to technology like SMS systems, radio broadcasts and automated hotlines to ensure people could access the information they need, ask questions and provide their feedback on Red Cross programmes.