ARTICLE - IHRC PROVIDES $78 MILLION

78 MILLION FOR <<16 NEIGHBORHOODS - 6 CAMPS>>
(Haiti Libre) -

Recognizing the urgent need to accelerate the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince, through the identification of sustainable housing solutions for displaced persons and residents of neighborhoods and the improvement of living conditions in these neighborhoods, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) has now approved a major project to rehabilitate 6 camps in 16 priority neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, Delmas and Petion-Ville; a project submitted by the Presidency of the Republic of Haiti.

This project aims to facilitate the integrated reconstruction of 16 neighborhoods: : Barbancourt, Bas Canapé Vert, Bois Patate, Clercine Carrefour, Delmas 60, l'Argentine, Delmas 31 Fond, Fond Delmas 33, Jean Batiste, Mais Gaté, Mapou / Mont Elbo, Morne Hercule, Morne Lazard, Morne et Villa Rosa, Nerette, Panaméricaine Bas, and Panaméricaine Haute. through the rehabilitation of housing, access to basic services prioritized by the community and the creation of income-generating opportunities. At the same time, this project aims to facilitate the voluntary resettlement of 5,239 households [approximately 30,000 people] who are originally from these neighborhoods, and who are currently spread out among the 6 targeted IDP Camps spread across the municipalities of Port-au-Prince, Delmas and Petion-Ville.

As a result, six camps will be able to be closed entirely, and numerous other camps will be reduced in population. The six camps are: Place Boyer, Place Saint Pierre, Primature, Place Canapé Vert, Mais Gaté, and Stade Sylvio Cator.

Costing a total of 78 million dollars, the project of 16 neighborhoods 6 camps, which was approved by the IHRC August 16, 2011, has received $30 million in funding from the Fund for Reconstruction of Haiti (FRH) and 19 million from the United Nations. This project’s main objectives are to ensure that:

- Internally Displaced Persons find a lasting solution to housing

- The return to neighborhoods is facilitated by a reconstruction that creates sustainable, quality housing

- Improved rehabilitation of the 16 districts of origin is carried out on the basis of the priorities of its communities

- The capacity of Haitian actors are strengthened and improved to allow for a similar reconstruction project to be implemented by Haitian actors in the future.

The project will also support the training of building professionals, and the promotion of SMEs in the construction sector. Proper coordination and participation will be ensured by the creation of community platforms, and supported by a comprehensive communications strategy.

The stakeholders of this project are at three levels: national, municipal and local –On the one hand the involvement of local government and the CASEC / ASECS will be solicited, but mechanisms will be implemented to ensure that the reconstruction is first and foremost led by neighborhood committees and community leaders.

With this project, the IHRC seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of reconstruction in the interests of fairness and respect for the most vulnerable victims of the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The project will then be repeated after analysis of results and experiences in the camps and neighborhoods in order to reduce as quickly as possible the number of displaced persons and provide them with the dignity to which they are entitled.