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In Wake of Earthquake, THP-Mexico Advocates for Gender-focused, Community-led Reconstruction

September 29, 2017

This month, devastating earthquakes affected our staff and partners in Mexico. The Hunger Project does not engage in emergency response, and does not have the capacity or expertise to do so. Our work focuses on promoting strong systems and capacity so communities grow more resilient in order to withstand and manage crises, such as food insecurity due to droughts or flooding. However, when emergencies do affect the specific communities where we work, The Hunger Project is committed to standing in solidarity with our partners during those crises.

In response to the earthquakes, our staff team in Mexico have stepped up their leadership in their neighborhoods and communities. They are also working with other civil society organizations to ensure that reconstruction efforts are appropriate to the communities they are intended to serve. In support of that advocacy work, THP-Mexico has posted the below statement:

 

A Manifesto

For a gender-focused reconstruction led by communities

The earthquakes that struck Mexico on September 7 and 19 had a devastating effect on the country, especially among the rural and indigenous communities in the southern states. We have witnessed tremendous amounts of support and energy aimed at reconstructing our country. However, there is a risk that this energy, will and resources will be lost in solutions that are neither adequate nor sustainable.

That is why we call on civil society, the private sector and the government to work together so that the reconstruction is strategic, coordinated and with a strong gender perspective. Above all, we call for a reconstruction that is led by the affected communities themselves.

As The Hunger Project Mexico, we call for a reconstruction that:

  1. Ensures human dignity and human rights in affected communities.
  2. Does not portray the people affected as beneficiaries, but as the main actors in the process.
  3. Responds to the needs and worldview of each affected community by strengthening the communities’ cohesion and social fabric, as well as their multicultural approach.
  4. Prioritizes leadership and community participation in decision-making spaces, especially the participation of women.
  5. Is comprehensive and sustainable, recognizes and combats existing inequality gaps through community self-reliance and resilience.
  6. Recognizes the experience of civil society organizations, particularly grassroots organizations, as well as their cooperation networks with communities.

To stay up-to-date with development and announcements, follow THP-Mexico on Facebook and Twitter.

Header image: Community members in Chiapas, Mexico work on a housing project. 

Learn more about our work in Mexico

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