On June 12, 2024, HDI co-organized with the Inter-American Foundation a small convening of funders to deep dive into how to both increase the amount of funding directed to community-led development and ensure we are providing the most effective forms of support.

HDI’s grants enable local organizations to realize their own homegrown plans for taking their community forward.

The situation in the capital affects our work, but our office is open, and we continue to make progress on our many activities.

180 attendees representing 123 organizations participated in the event, which featured 57 speakers (70% of whom are Haitian) leading and facilitating 22 plenary and breakout sessions.

Watch how a grant from HDI’s Earthquake Fund is helping one community build resilience and access education by strengthening residents’ incomes.

HDI organized an in-person conference in June 2022 in Les Cayes, Haiti for local leaders from the earthquake zone to consider how response systems must be strengthened and communities can prepare for future disasters.

HDI Executive Director Pierre Noel co-authored an Inside Philanthropy article with HDI Board member Karen Ansara on the importance in disaster response of genuine partnership to strengthen and empower local leaders, organizations, government entities and communities.

This Giving Compass article recaps the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s webinar Disaster in a Crisis Zone: Understanding the Impact of Haiti’s Earthquake which featured HDI’s ED Pierre Noel and addressed how to effectively support recovery from August’s devastating earthquake.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation shared the earthquake response activities of its grantees including HDI: “The organizations that can best respond at this urgent moment are those with a long-term commitment to the children and families of local communities. We call on those wanting to help Haiti to support the local networks collaborating to meet the immediate needs of those most affected by this terrible disaster.”

United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s recommendations on where to donate to help earthquake relief: “This past weekend, Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that crumbled homes and buildings and killed more than 1,200 people. As relief organizations on the ground and around the world rush to help those directly affected, we at United Way of Massachusetts Bay are also thinking about our Haitian neighbors, coworkers, and friends right here in the Greater Boston area.”

To discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis, GBH’s Jim Braude was joined on Greater Boston by Linda Dorcena Forry, a former Massachusetts legislator who was the state’s first state senator of Haitian descent, and Pierre Noel, executive director of the Haiti Development Institute, an initiative of the Boston Foundation.

“Haiti is still reeling from an earthquake that left at least 1,400 dead, and thousands more injured, on Saturday, and it is now preparing for Tropical Depression Grace. Many in Massachusetts, with direct ties to the country or not, may be wondering how they can help during this difficult time.”

The international community has learned from past mistakes that it is crucial to engage local community institutions in disaster response and to put resources directly into their hands.

We are shocked and saddened by the news of President Moise's assassination and condemn this heinous act. Investing in leadership, strong institutions and civic engagement is key to achieving stability and prosperity in Haiti.

“Local Haitian immigrants interviewed by GBH News Wednesday agreed…the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was a major blow, further destabilizing [the] country.” HDI’s ED Pierre Noel: "There's an opportunity now, though... We have to look at good leadership… and strong and efficient institutions."

Pierre Noel told WBUR's All Things Considered host Lisa Mullins that despite the growing political instability and violence in Haiti over the last several months, he didn't foresee the attack on the president — or what it might do to his organization's efforts.

HDI helps empower communities to protect themselves from the coronavirus with grants to community leaders.

Leaders of Haiti’s National COVID-19 Response Commission and health care experts share information on the Commission’s Plan for addressing the crisis, what is being done and what the needs are.

HDI is clear-eyed about the challenges and long road ahead but energized. Because we know what the right road is.

A short Q & A with HDI Board Chair Herby Duverné: