Fostering Peace in Communities

AFSC strives to reduce violence and the causes of violence in communities around the world.  By facilitating communication, working with community leaders, and structured trainings, diverse groups are brought together.  We help the communities identify problems and work in concert toward lasting solutions.

As part of an ongoing response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, AFSC is working in two communities located in Martissant (Port-au-Prince) and Leogane, a town close to the capital that suffered destruction of up to 80-90% of its urban area. The starting point for this work has been to create a "safe space" in each community by setting up a large, mobile tent in each of the shelters. AFSC has now erected large tents in both communities, where they serve as common meeting areas and places where immediate assistance and conflict resolution work can be provided. Learn more about our work in Haiti.

Following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that effected swaths of Indonesia, AFSC worked with local partners to provide initial emergency aid that laid the groundwork for building trust between skeptical communities. Since the initial response, we have run "peace camps" for young leaders, worked to reduce inequities, and helped improve understanding of traditionally marginalized people. Learn more about our work in Indonesia.