ARTICLE - $20 MILLION FOR THE CHAMP MARS

$20 MILLION TO RELEASE THE CHAMP DE MARS
(Haiti Libre) -

President Michel Martelly, officially launched with the support of the Canadian government, a project to release the Champ de Mars, occupied for two years by the victims of January 12, 2010. The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Beverly J. Oda, Canadian Minister of International Cooperation, the Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille, some ministers of the Haitian government, Jean Yves Jason, Mayor of Port-au-Prince, the Ambassador of Canada, Paul Normandin and a few advisers of President Martelly.

The Head of State, in a joint press conference with Minister Beverley J. Oda, has announced a financial assistance of 19.9 million dollars of Canada.

Minister Oda, in her speech for the occasion, said that "Canada is proud to be a part of the international efforts to help Haiti as it recovers from the earthquake over the past two years. We are fulfilling our commitment to the Haitian people so that they can move forward to building their communities and their country [...] The Champ de Mars project is a comprehensive Canadian initiative that focuses on the future of Haitian families and businesses, as well as restoring a national landmark and place of pride for all Haitians as a public park for all to enjoy."

In front of a delirious population, expressing his satisfaction for how important is this gesture, President Martelly said that he believes in the will of the Canadian government to support the various projects of the current administration, promising the establishment of a management committee for the relocation of the occupants of the Champ Mars and the rehabilitation of it.

This relocation, confirms the desire of President Martelly to meet his electoral promises, and also his commitment to provide the Haitian people a better life. The President asked the people to have confidence and lend a hand to the government.For the occupants of other camps in the metropolitan area.... be patient and promising that soon, it will be their turn.

Minister Oda stated that "The project will help re-establish and register 500 informal camp businesses (most owned by women), train 50 entrepreneurs, create 2,000 local construction jobs (e.g. for debris removal, rebuilding and repair of damaged houses) in the neighbourhoods where residents will resettle, as well as rehabilitate community services. In the process, certified construction training will be provided to 240 Haitian workers [...] I make you a promise that when the Champ de Mars is finished with repairs, .... with beautiful gardens, .... I'll be back. I'll come and see the Champ de Mars,... I need to see you walk along the small roads of the Champ de Mars,.... I need to see children riding bicycles safely.

I wish the Haitian people all the best in life, and I say to the Haitian people that your courage, your strength and persistence is a good example, a great inspiration for the world."

Learn more about the project of the Champ de Mars:

The Housing Action Project in the Champ de Mars responds to a critical need expressed by the Government of Haiti: the resettlement of persons displaced by the 2010 earthquake through the offering of sustainable housing solutions. Facing the destroyed Haitian Parliament building, the Champ de Mars, an important public park, is now one of the four largest camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Haiti and provides temporary shelter to 5,000 families (approx. 20,000 individuals).

The Champ de Mars camp is divided into ten zones. The first four zones (1,831 families) are expected to be resettled in the first months of 2012. Six remaining zones (3,169 families) will be resettled over the course of 2012-2013. The resettlement of IDP camp residents currently living in the Champ de Mars will be done according to relevant human rights norms and standards maintained by the International Organization for Migration.

Through this initiative, registered camp residents will be matched with case workers, who will assist them in finding suitable rental accommodation or repairing their houses via the provision of one-year subsidies. Case workers will ensure that every family is fully informed about the housing subsidy support they are entitled to, and the timelines for making their decisions. A project information office will be established near the camp to answer questions and follow up on any issues or complaints raised by camp residents.

As Canada's lead implementing partner for this initiative, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will coordinate, with other multilateral organizations, the following activities:

Camp residents' registration, evaluation of individual families' housing needs, provision of rental subsidies to families, and final closure of the Champ de Mars camp;

Debris removal in targeted neighbourhoods, demolition of non-reparable houses and reparation of damaged but reparable houses;

Training and certification of construction tradespeople, delivery of business support and training for camp entrepreneurs, and provision of relocation subsidies to camp businesses; and

Provision of financial support to receiving communities to rebuild essential community infrastructure and services.