ARTICLE - CONSTRUCTION IN FOND FRED

CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE TO FOND FRED, LES CAYES
(HaitiLibre) -

Last week, Kenneth H. Merten, Ambassador of the United States in Haiti, has launched, tinFond Fred, near the city of Les Cayes, the construction of an emergency operations center, a warehouse of relief equipment and various community structures for the civil protection in the South ..

The ceremony was attended by several Haitian and foreign officials. Funded by the U.S. Government, these series of structures, aim to make available to the National System for Risk and Disaster Management (SNGRD), emergency operations centers in each department.

"The town of Les Cayes has over 17 high-risk zones which for a long time, have a very large population, who are always victims in each bad storm. The realization of this project comes at a highly anticipated time..." declared Mr. Yvon Chéry, Mayor of Les Cayes.

For Kednor Estinville, Departmental delegate of the South, "These buildings will allow the various civil protection officials, first to be better housed, allow the formation of different groups involved in rapid response in case of emergency and to do this work most effectively."

Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of Interior and Territorial Collectivities recalled that "This project will be implemented by a consortium of two companies. It will cost a total of 2.6 million U.S. dollars, including 1.3 million for the completion of the operation center [350 m2] and the complementary warehouse (400 m2]."

The U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth H. Merten, in his address said that "Our military colleagues through the southern command of the United States, is working in partnership with the Haitian Government in the construction of these buildings. We plan to build emergency operations centers and warehouses of relief equipment in each department, along with 8 community groups and 14 fire stations throughout Haiti. This project will strengthen the vital infrastructure in Haiti and its ability to cope and manage fire and natural disasters. Thank you in supporting us today, while we work to make Haiti a safer country."