ARTICLE - UNDP - POLITICAL INSTABILITY

HELEN CLARK CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLITICAL INSTABILITY
(Haiti Libre) -

Saturday, after a four-day visit to Haiti, Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hailed before the press, the progress achieved in Haiti for the last two years. "I saw a huge difference from the desolation I saw four days after January 12, 2010. The streets of Port-au-Prince are alive again. I feel very confident in the capacity of the Haitian people to rebuild their own country". Nevertheless, she expressed concern about the situation in Haiti, calling on the Government to solve the problems of political instability, and of development affecting the country. "Politicians need to solve their problems to enable the country move forward", and that the next Prime Minister will be ratified soon.

Although progress is visible, she urged the Haitian authorities to reconstitute the Commission of experts (Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti - IHRC) dissolved in October 2011, and whose mission was to coordinate the reconstruction efforts and serve as an interlocutor with international donors. According to her, the absence of the Commission is preventing cleanup of debris, the start of construction of houses and other attempts of reconstruction.

Addressing the Haiti's fragile side in terms of the environment and climate, Helen Clark and Nigel Fisher, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, said that they were very concerned about the Haitian cause, drawing attention to the gradual reduction of financial resources pledged by international donors, for the reconstruction of Haiti. According to Clark, no funds have been collected as part of the reconstruction of Haiti since last October. But, she remains optimistic. "In our humanitarian work, we cultivate hope, not only for Haiti but also for the young people particularly. It is clear that much remains to be done. We have other projects which we will lead with the support of the Haitian youth."