Reference :
V-P-HT-E-00374
Date :
06/01/2009
Caption :
Port-au-Prince. Cité Soleil. A group of victims of the violence are tying to get funds for social, psychological and legal help.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
reserved users only
Description :
Casualties of violence, whether from the developed or developing world, can suffer physically and psychologically for years afterwards. But in a particularly poor and violent environment like Cité Soleil, the suffering can last a life time.
With ICRC help. a group of victims is trying to help fellow sufferers. Set up in 2007 by Pierre Wilber, who was beaten up by gang members for his political views, the organization called REVICIS has identified 300 victims it wishes to help and is now trying to get funds for social assistance, psychological care and legal aid.
"There are so many social problems in Cité Soleil that everyone here is a victim", says Mr Wilber. "But we decided to give priority to those who have been visibly scarred by the physical violence. They have suffered a double blow".
Brice was caught in a shoot out between UN troops and gang members in April 2005. He was shot three times and lost his arm yet today he still manages to work. Since the tragic inicident he is self employed selling mobile phone minutes and bags of water in the streets of Port-au-Prince.
"On a good day I earn a dollar, but it is thanks to my wife who sells food from dawn to dusk that my children don't starve," he says.
Other victims have no such support.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5616x3744
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
