SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE PASSES WATER FOR THE WORLD: NOW IT'S TIME FOR HOUSE TO ACT
(NRDC) - By Elizabeth Shope
Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passed the Water for the World Act – a step forwards towards enacting important legislation that could bring safe drinking water and basic sanitation to as many as 100 million people around the Globe. Water and sanitation are basic human rights, and with over 800 million people lacking access to safe drinking water and over 2.5 billion people – more than a third of the world’s population – lacking a toilet, passing this legislation should be a no-brainer. In fact, Water for the World has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, so it’s time for the House to start taking steps to passing this legislation as well. To this end, the CEOs of 33 U.S.- based organizations including NRDC President Frances Beinecke sent a letter today to the House of Representatives asking Members to cosponsor and support the Water for the World Act on the House side.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is not just a human rights issue. Rather, as the CEOs write in the letter: “WASH aids in our collective efforts to ensure all children can succeed in primary school, to advance food security and nutrition, to promote sustainable water resource management, and to reduce poverty.” The House and Senate versions of the legislation have some differences, but ultimately, both seek to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for millions of people, largely by improving upon the 2005 Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and making the way that the United States provides foreign aid on water and WASH projects more efficient.
Water for the World would:
- Increase coordination of WASH with other programs. The House legislation finds that, “For maximum effectiveness of assistance, safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene must be coordinated with and integrated into programs and strategies for food security, global health, environment, education, and gender equality.” It goes on to say that USAID should carry out this integration at the Global Water Coordinator level and at the USAID Mission Director level. The coordination that the Senate legislation calls for has a more environmental focus, indicating that one of the responsibilities of the State Department Special Coordinator for Water Resources will be to “oversee and coordinate the diplomatic policy of the United States Government with respect to global freshwater issues, including interagency coordination related to sustainable access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene; integrated river basin and watershed management; global food security; transboundary conflict; agricultural and urban productivity of water resources; disaster recovery, response, and rebuilding; pollution mitigation; and adaptation to hydrologic change due to climate variability.”
- Enhance USAID and Department of State capacity at headquarters, through existing offices and positions, and at mission levels, to improve partnerships and technical capacity of in-country implementers and national governments, so that country leadership in planning, implementing and evaluating WASH programs can be prioritized. Having higher level water coordinators in USAID and the State Department is also critical for being able to successfully integrate WASH and other programs.
- Increase the sustainability and local ownership of WASH projects. The Senate legislation calls for the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator to build the capacity of host countries to “provide affordable, equitable, and sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation; educate the populations of such countries about the dangers of unsafe drinking water and lack of proper sanitation; and encourage behavior change to reduce individuals’ risk of disease from unsafe drinking water and lack of proper sanitation and hygiene.” And In the House legislation, Section 5 is focused on “Increasing Sustainability of Safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Projects and Activities.” These pieces of the legislation are critical, because if we want to make meaningful, long-term changes in people’s lives on the water and sanitation front, we need to be working not just towards providing first-time access to infrastructure but also access to long term services and behavior changes. Just because there’s a latrine installed doesn’t mean people will use it, know how to empty it when it needs to be emptied, or know how to repair it.
- Improve targeting of WASH funding, recognizing that the poorest people stand to benefit most from receiving access to these services. Specifically, the House legislation indicates that, “Projects and activities should be targeted to the poorest and most vulnerable countries and communities, including women and girls, displaced persons and refugees, and other marginalized populations.”
- Support research and regional partnerships to continue our learning and support innovative and effective solutions.
- Once again call on U.S. Government to produce the comprehensive, multi-year strategy water strategy that they have been supposed to produce since the passage of the 2005 Water for the Poor Act. The Water for the Poor Act called on the State Department to produce the strategy. However, USAID has taken the lead on producing the strategy. The House legislation officially shifts the responsibility for producing the WASH strategy to USAID, and calls for the strategy to be produced by January 1, 2013 that covers the next four years.
In short, this legislation would help individuals and communities in desperate need, and make the work that the United States is already doing to help more meaningful and efficient. Both the House and the Senate versions are good pieces of legislation on their own and which, if merged, have the potential to be even stronger. To continue to move this legislation forward, Members of Congress should join H.R.3658 – the Water for the World Act – as cosponsors, and call on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to move the bill – as our CEOs have called on them to do. Then the full House and the full Senate should pass the legislation. You can take action and ask your Senators and Representative to support Water for the World here.
Showing posts with label Articles - International Aid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles - International Aid. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2012
ARTICLE - CANADA SUPPORTS FEEDING PROGRAM
CANADA SUPPORTS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM IN HAITI
(Toronto Sun) - By QMI
More than one million primary school students in Haiti received a hot meal every day of their 2012 school year thanks to Canada. And they can count on that happening again.
On Friday, the innovative food program that feeds the children received a $15 million boost from the federal government.
Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, said Canada would continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme's (WFP) School Feeding Program in the Caribbean nation.
With the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the program helps reduce nutritional deficits among schoolchildren, improve learning outcomes, and increase attendance in primary schools. It also promotes local agriculture by purchasing up to 25% of its rice requirements from local Haitian producers.
"Canada is proud to support the School Feeding Program in Haiti to help prevent hunger and chronic malnutrition," Oda said in a statement. "We know the WFP's school feeding approach has a direct impact on learning capacities and academic performance, which makes this initiative all the more valuable."
(Toronto Sun) - By QMI
More than one million primary school students in Haiti received a hot meal every day of their 2012 school year thanks to Canada. And they can count on that happening again.
On Friday, the innovative food program that feeds the children received a $15 million boost from the federal government.
Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, said Canada would continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme's (WFP) School Feeding Program in the Caribbean nation.
With the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the program helps reduce nutritional deficits among schoolchildren, improve learning outcomes, and increase attendance in primary schools. It also promotes local agriculture by purchasing up to 25% of its rice requirements from local Haitian producers.
"Canada is proud to support the School Feeding Program in Haiti to help prevent hunger and chronic malnutrition," Oda said in a statement. "We know the WFP's school feeding approach has a direct impact on learning capacities and academic performance, which makes this initiative all the more valuable."
ARTICLE - BILATERAL RELATIONS
BILATERAL RELATIONS ARE THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE
(Dominican Today) - By David Jessop
There is a paradox at the heart of European policy towards the Caribbean. For the sake of neatness and administrative ease, Ministers and officials want to regard the Caribbean as a single entity. Despite this they know that to make any progress they have to deal individually with a disparate group of nations, each jealously protecting their individuality and sovereignty, divided by language, history and thousands of miles of ocean.
In an attempt to address the difficulty of having to deal with so many small nations, Europe has sought variously to embrace the concept of Cariforum (Caricom including Haiti plus the Dominican Republic), and is working to complete a document that will govern its relationship with the British, Dutch and French overseas territories; It would like to begin work on preparing some form of mandate to negotiate an association agreement with Cuba; and is trying to reconcile complex issues relating to the overseas departments of France in the Caribbean. In fact the only part of the region Europe looks past are the US territories.
This process, which attempts to develop a coherent approach to the region as a whole, has gathered pace as Europe’s multilateral and bilateral financial resources have diminished, strategic priorities have moved to other parts of the world, and the number of EU nations with little or no interest in the region has increased.
As a consequence, Europe is now in the throes of considering how it should reorient its development policy so the focus is less on individual nations and more on regional and European priorities.
The debate in Brussels is being conducted on the basis that some officials in the European Commission believe that all nations other than Haiti should be graduated out of development assistance on the basis that the Caribbean is, in relative terms, too wealthy.
In practical terms this means that the European Commission is engaged in an intense internal discussion about how and when such a policy might be implemented and how it should best be delivered. The theory is that other than for Haiti, most future European programmes should be regional and would focus with limited resource on a small number of areas such as the environment, security, promoting economic growth and developing the private sector.
Despite this, the problem that continues to face Europe and others in trying to deliver programmes at a regional level remains how best to address the issue of the multiplicity of competing sovereignties with varying interests and different abilities to deliver.
The challenge was clearly identified in recent remarks by the IMF's senior resident representative to Jamaica, Gene Leon.
He put it this way: “Individualism is limiting the Caribbean’s growth potential”. “The entire Caribbean region can be a much stronger integrated network than it is now. But we cannot have regional integration and, at the same time, have national sovereignty and, at the same time, individual political and social agendas”.
"The three things do not mix. You cannot get all of them in exactly the optimal way, at the same time. There has to be a trade-off and a consensus as to how we go forward," he told the Mona School of Business.
But despite suggesting there may be a telling economic case for regionalism, the reality is that virtually all nations and multilateral institutions can only effectively implement policies at a national level.
Europe and the IMF might desire to become more engaged in the delivery of projects at a regional level, but in the real world this may be crying for the moon. Moreover it is not matched by what is happening on the ground, where for the most part EU member states with an interest in the region are looking to enhance their bilateral cooperation with those countries that are most responsive and offer the best prospects for economic growth or political co-operation.
One of the clearest signs of this was the recent announcement by the UK Government that despite its wish to see the Caribbean as a whole is placing a new emphasis on its relationship with the Dominican Republic.
As a part of what some may see as a rebalancing of bilateral relationships, the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Carlos Morales Troncoso, and the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, signed a co-operation agreement in London on June 20.
The agreement, the only one of its kind, in the Caribbean region, other than that with Cuba, which serves a different purpose, establishes a clear framework and set of priorities for future relations. The agreement spells out in some detail the areas in which the two governments will enhance bilateral cooperation through trade and investment. It speaks about the execution of practical joint activities such as trade missions and visits. It also commits the two nations to promoting the Cariforum-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. It also speaks to promoting measures aimed at reducing corruption and enhancing collaboration and coordination on a wide range of security issues. It covers climate change, education, culture and sport, justice, maritime Issues, Haiti, and co-operation on other Foreign Policy Issues. Notably it also establishes a basis for meetings at least annually to take stock of the progress made in implementing the understanding.
The agreement coincided with the announcement by the UK that it is opening new embassies in Haiti, and in Central and South America.
What this suggests is that while countries like the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Jamaica and others continue to pursue their desire to see the regional integration process function they like the UK have really concluded that national self-interest come first.
While there remain important regional issues that require a joined up approach, such as the environment and co-ordination on security, in the real world, as untidy as it may seem, theoreticians everywhere need to understand that programmes in the Caribbean will have to be delivered at a national level for the foreseeable future.
David Jessop is the Director of the Caribbean Council and can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbean-council.org
Previous columns can be found at www.caribbean-council.org
(Dominican Today) - By David Jessop
There is a paradox at the heart of European policy towards the Caribbean. For the sake of neatness and administrative ease, Ministers and officials want to regard the Caribbean as a single entity. Despite this they know that to make any progress they have to deal individually with a disparate group of nations, each jealously protecting their individuality and sovereignty, divided by language, history and thousands of miles of ocean.
In an attempt to address the difficulty of having to deal with so many small nations, Europe has sought variously to embrace the concept of Cariforum (Caricom including Haiti plus the Dominican Republic), and is working to complete a document that will govern its relationship with the British, Dutch and French overseas territories; It would like to begin work on preparing some form of mandate to negotiate an association agreement with Cuba; and is trying to reconcile complex issues relating to the overseas departments of France in the Caribbean. In fact the only part of the region Europe looks past are the US territories.
This process, which attempts to develop a coherent approach to the region as a whole, has gathered pace as Europe’s multilateral and bilateral financial resources have diminished, strategic priorities have moved to other parts of the world, and the number of EU nations with little or no interest in the region has increased.
As a consequence, Europe is now in the throes of considering how it should reorient its development policy so the focus is less on individual nations and more on regional and European priorities.
The debate in Brussels is being conducted on the basis that some officials in the European Commission believe that all nations other than Haiti should be graduated out of development assistance on the basis that the Caribbean is, in relative terms, too wealthy.
In practical terms this means that the European Commission is engaged in an intense internal discussion about how and when such a policy might be implemented and how it should best be delivered. The theory is that other than for Haiti, most future European programmes should be regional and would focus with limited resource on a small number of areas such as the environment, security, promoting economic growth and developing the private sector.
Despite this, the problem that continues to face Europe and others in trying to deliver programmes at a regional level remains how best to address the issue of the multiplicity of competing sovereignties with varying interests and different abilities to deliver.
The challenge was clearly identified in recent remarks by the IMF's senior resident representative to Jamaica, Gene Leon.
He put it this way: “Individualism is limiting the Caribbean’s growth potential”. “The entire Caribbean region can be a much stronger integrated network than it is now. But we cannot have regional integration and, at the same time, have national sovereignty and, at the same time, individual political and social agendas”.
"The three things do not mix. You cannot get all of them in exactly the optimal way, at the same time. There has to be a trade-off and a consensus as to how we go forward," he told the Mona School of Business.
But despite suggesting there may be a telling economic case for regionalism, the reality is that virtually all nations and multilateral institutions can only effectively implement policies at a national level.
Europe and the IMF might desire to become more engaged in the delivery of projects at a regional level, but in the real world this may be crying for the moon. Moreover it is not matched by what is happening on the ground, where for the most part EU member states with an interest in the region are looking to enhance their bilateral cooperation with those countries that are most responsive and offer the best prospects for economic growth or political co-operation.
One of the clearest signs of this was the recent announcement by the UK Government that despite its wish to see the Caribbean as a whole is placing a new emphasis on its relationship with the Dominican Republic.
As a part of what some may see as a rebalancing of bilateral relationships, the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Carlos Morales Troncoso, and the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, signed a co-operation agreement in London on June 20.
The agreement, the only one of its kind, in the Caribbean region, other than that with Cuba, which serves a different purpose, establishes a clear framework and set of priorities for future relations. The agreement spells out in some detail the areas in which the two governments will enhance bilateral cooperation through trade and investment. It speaks about the execution of practical joint activities such as trade missions and visits. It also commits the two nations to promoting the Cariforum-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. It also speaks to promoting measures aimed at reducing corruption and enhancing collaboration and coordination on a wide range of security issues. It covers climate change, education, culture and sport, justice, maritime Issues, Haiti, and co-operation on other Foreign Policy Issues. Notably it also establishes a basis for meetings at least annually to take stock of the progress made in implementing the understanding.
The agreement coincided with the announcement by the UK that it is opening new embassies in Haiti, and in Central and South America.
What this suggests is that while countries like the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Jamaica and others continue to pursue their desire to see the regional integration process function they like the UK have really concluded that national self-interest come first.
While there remain important regional issues that require a joined up approach, such as the environment and co-ordination on security, in the real world, as untidy as it may seem, theoreticians everywhere need to understand that programmes in the Caribbean will have to be delivered at a national level for the foreseeable future.
David Jessop is the Director of the Caribbean Council and can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbean-council.org
Previous columns can be found at www.caribbean-council.org
Saturday, June 16, 2012
ARTICLE - FRANCE PRESIDENT - URGES D.R.
FRANCE URGES DOMINICAN PRESIDENT-ELECT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING HAITI
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo- The president of France, Francois Hollande, has formally asked the president-elect of the Dominican Republic to continue working with the French government on both governments’ joint policy of supporting reconstruction in Haiti.
In a letter addressed to Danilo Medina, the French head of state wrote that the reconstruction of Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake is one of the challenges that needed to be faced by the international community.
In this context, he adds, it is important for the Dominican Republic and France to continue being actively involved in this process, as they have done up till now.
Hollande mentioned that he had the opportunity to express his wish to the current Dominican president, Leonel Fernández, to strengthen relations of friendship between the French and Dominican peoples, which he defined as important and diverse.
He said that some joint initiatives had been established in trade and investment, international cooperation and higher education as well as in security matters and the fight against drug trafficking.
He observed that at a regional level, France shares common interests in the Caribbean due to its Overseas Departments, especially Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Earlier, another president, Chilean Sebastián Piñera Echeñique, told Medina that he hoped the two countries’ “productive” bilateral agenda, including the commitment to Haiti, would continue.
He singled out the high level of cooperation that has been achieved with the Haitian people and their authorities, with a commitment to solidarity. He said that he was sure that this agenda would continue developing during the Medina administration.
(Dominican Today) -
Santo Domingo- The president of France, Francois Hollande, has formally asked the president-elect of the Dominican Republic to continue working with the French government on both governments’ joint policy of supporting reconstruction in Haiti.
In a letter addressed to Danilo Medina, the French head of state wrote that the reconstruction of Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake is one of the challenges that needed to be faced by the international community.
In this context, he adds, it is important for the Dominican Republic and France to continue being actively involved in this process, as they have done up till now.
Hollande mentioned that he had the opportunity to express his wish to the current Dominican president, Leonel Fernández, to strengthen relations of friendship between the French and Dominican peoples, which he defined as important and diverse.
He said that some joint initiatives had been established in trade and investment, international cooperation and higher education as well as in security matters and the fight against drug trafficking.
He observed that at a regional level, France shares common interests in the Caribbean due to its Overseas Departments, especially Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Earlier, another president, Chilean Sebastián Piñera Echeñique, told Medina that he hoped the two countries’ “productive” bilateral agenda, including the commitment to Haiti, would continue.
He singled out the high level of cooperation that has been achieved with the Haitian people and their authorities, with a commitment to solidarity. He said that he was sure that this agenda would continue developing during the Medina administration.
Friday, June 15, 2012
ARTICLE - TAIWAN - $4M GOV'T BUILDINGS
LAMOTHE SIGNS MOU FOR $4M FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ambassador of Taiwan (China) for the reconstruction of government buildings to the tune of $4 million.
The memorandum was signed on Tuesday by the Ambassador of the Republic of China in Haiti, who also represents Taiwan, Bang-Zyh Liu and the Haitian Prime Minister Lamothe, also the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Le Matin reported that the money will be used to fund design studies and the reconstruction of the following public administration buildings:
- the Supreme Court, Ministry of Economy and Finance,
- the General Tax Directorate,
- the General Administration of Customs,
- the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes.
The Taiwanese ambassador considers that the reconstruction of public buildings will allow the government to fulfill its mission to its people. The ambassador recalled his trust in the relationship between the two countries, in which he said even the worst disaster can not break or influence relations between the two partners...
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ambassador of Taiwan (China) for the reconstruction of government buildings to the tune of $4 million.
The memorandum was signed on Tuesday by the Ambassador of the Republic of China in Haiti, who also represents Taiwan, Bang-Zyh Liu and the Haitian Prime Minister Lamothe, also the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Le Matin reported that the money will be used to fund design studies and the reconstruction of the following public administration buildings:
- the Supreme Court, Ministry of Economy and Finance,
- the General Tax Directorate,
- the General Administration of Customs,
- the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes.
The Taiwanese ambassador considers that the reconstruction of public buildings will allow the government to fulfill its mission to its people. The ambassador recalled his trust in the relationship between the two countries, in which he said even the worst disaster can not break or influence relations between the two partners...
Thursday, June 14, 2012
ARTICLE - IMPORTANT MEETING WITH WFP
IMPORTANT MEETING WITH THE WFP
(Haiti Libre) -
Ms. Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in a visit this week to Haiti for three days, met with President Martelly, the First Lady Sophia Martelly, and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.
Following a meeting with President Martelly who intended to revitalize, in a more realistic and reassuring approach, the WFP's cooperation with Haiti, Ms. Cousin met, the First Lady, Sophia Martelly, at the National Palace around the cooperation with the Haitian state through the National Coordination of the Fight against Hunger and Malnutrition (COLFAM), and issues of food security in Haiti. Ms. Cousin who was accompanied by the Director of WFP for the Region, Mr. Gemmo Lodesani, of the Director of WFP in Haiti, Ms. Myrta Kaulard, renewed the commitment of their institution to support the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Haiti.
Accompanied by the Ministers of Planning and External Cooperation, Ms. Josefa Gauthier, Public Health and Population, Mrs. Florence D. Guillaume, Education and Training, Mr.Réginald Paul, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Thomas Jacques, Ministers delegated to the Prime Minister responsible for the promotion of the peasantry, Ms. Marie Mimose Félix, and the fight against poverty, Ms. Marie Carmelle Rose Anne Auguste, and other members of the COLFAM, the First Lady opened the discussion around a long-term institutional partnership between WFP and the Office in charge of the program "Aba Grangou".
Congratulating Ms. Ertharin Cousin on her appointment in April 2012, to the head of the largest UN agency in the fight against world hunger, Ms. Sophia Martelly wishes to conclude with WFP:
- a technical and financial support to the program "Aba Grangou" during the next 4 years in order to ensure it has a strong institutional and technical anchor;
- a support towards local purchases to provide food for schools, by concentrating on purchases of tubers such as cassava, yams and sweet potatoes;
- a gradual integration of the mode of operation of WFP's school feeding program, so that it intergrates gradually into the institutional structures of government, including the National School Feeding Programme (PNCS);
- a systematic involvement of civil society and parents in the management and monitoring of school feeding programs, and an engagement alongside participatory initiatives (Programs "Tèt Kole pou Lavi miyò", "Kore Fanmi",...) scaled by Aba Grangou;
- a support for the realization of socio-economic surveys of households as a basis of targeting and of support to vulnerable people;
- a support to the services of support of moderate acute malnutrition throughout the territory of Haiti;
- a support to the formation of a network of nutritionists to support the program "Aba Grangou" on the ground;
- a support for the establishment of a network of community workers, of family support (Kore Fanmi) to address with families, the root causes of malnutrition, and a common visibility with "Aba Grangou", for all WFP operations in Haiti.
The WFP Executive Director commended the work and vision of the National Programme "Aba Grangou" implemented to fight against hunger and malnutrition, in preparation for Rio +20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Both women stressed the value of a true partnership, harmonizing UN programs with those of the government, and creating a strong link with the private sector, to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable people.
However, Ms. Ertharin Cousin, stressed that a significant reduction in donor contributions threatens WFP's ability to respond as needed to these persistent high-priority issues. WFP Haiti is at a critical point and requires US$54.6 million to keep programmes operating through the end of 2012. She launched an appeal to the friends of Haiti in the world, in order to continue supporting the efforts of the Government of Haiti and WFP, to provide sustainable solutions to fight the hunger and malnutrition targeted at the most food-insecure and vulnerable populations.
After her meeting with the First Lady, Ms. Ertharin Cousin met the Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe at the Hotel Montana. The Head of Government welcomed the various programs and activities undertaken by WFP in Haiti, especially since 12 January 2010.
In his speech for the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that his Government benefits from the support of the UN entity in its policy of increasing agricultural production, by favoring the purchase of local agricultural products. "The Martelly-Lamothe government would have liked that the quantity of local products in the stocks of WFP food security passes the threshold of 25% to 40%," indicated the Head of Government.
Laurent Lamothe has also called the WFP to support national initiatives aiming to the modernization, recapitalization and development of agriculture, by providing technical and financial assistance to the establishment and development of processing infrastructure of certain products such as fruits and tubers. He considers the visit of Madame Cousin as "a rare opportunity to strengthen collaboration between WFP and the state bodies, and to reorienting its operations and its actions based on the priorities of the Government and in the best interests of the nation."
(Haiti Libre) -
Ms. Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in a visit this week to Haiti for three days, met with President Martelly, the First Lady Sophia Martelly, and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.
Following a meeting with President Martelly who intended to revitalize, in a more realistic and reassuring approach, the WFP's cooperation with Haiti, Ms. Cousin met, the First Lady, Sophia Martelly, at the National Palace around the cooperation with the Haitian state through the National Coordination of the Fight against Hunger and Malnutrition (COLFAM), and issues of food security in Haiti. Ms. Cousin who was accompanied by the Director of WFP for the Region, Mr. Gemmo Lodesani, of the Director of WFP in Haiti, Ms. Myrta Kaulard, renewed the commitment of their institution to support the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Haiti.
Accompanied by the Ministers of Planning and External Cooperation, Ms. Josefa Gauthier, Public Health and Population, Mrs. Florence D. Guillaume, Education and Training, Mr.Réginald Paul, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Thomas Jacques, Ministers delegated to the Prime Minister responsible for the promotion of the peasantry, Ms. Marie Mimose Félix, and the fight against poverty, Ms. Marie Carmelle Rose Anne Auguste, and other members of the COLFAM, the First Lady opened the discussion around a long-term institutional partnership between WFP and the Office in charge of the program "Aba Grangou".
Congratulating Ms. Ertharin Cousin on her appointment in April 2012, to the head of the largest UN agency in the fight against world hunger, Ms. Sophia Martelly wishes to conclude with WFP:
- a technical and financial support to the program "Aba Grangou" during the next 4 years in order to ensure it has a strong institutional and technical anchor;
- a support towards local purchases to provide food for schools, by concentrating on purchases of tubers such as cassava, yams and sweet potatoes;
- a gradual integration of the mode of operation of WFP's school feeding program, so that it intergrates gradually into the institutional structures of government, including the National School Feeding Programme (PNCS);
- a systematic involvement of civil society and parents in the management and monitoring of school feeding programs, and an engagement alongside participatory initiatives (Programs "Tèt Kole pou Lavi miyò", "Kore Fanmi",...) scaled by Aba Grangou;
- a support for the realization of socio-economic surveys of households as a basis of targeting and of support to vulnerable people;
- a support to the services of support of moderate acute malnutrition throughout the territory of Haiti;
- a support to the formation of a network of nutritionists to support the program "Aba Grangou" on the ground;
- a support for the establishment of a network of community workers, of family support (Kore Fanmi) to address with families, the root causes of malnutrition, and a common visibility with "Aba Grangou", for all WFP operations in Haiti.
The WFP Executive Director commended the work and vision of the National Programme "Aba Grangou" implemented to fight against hunger and malnutrition, in preparation for Rio +20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Both women stressed the value of a true partnership, harmonizing UN programs with those of the government, and creating a strong link with the private sector, to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable people.
However, Ms. Ertharin Cousin, stressed that a significant reduction in donor contributions threatens WFP's ability to respond as needed to these persistent high-priority issues. WFP Haiti is at a critical point and requires US$54.6 million to keep programmes operating through the end of 2012. She launched an appeal to the friends of Haiti in the world, in order to continue supporting the efforts of the Government of Haiti and WFP, to provide sustainable solutions to fight the hunger and malnutrition targeted at the most food-insecure and vulnerable populations.
After her meeting with the First Lady, Ms. Ertharin Cousin met the Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe at the Hotel Montana. The Head of Government welcomed the various programs and activities undertaken by WFP in Haiti, especially since 12 January 2010.
In his speech for the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that his Government benefits from the support of the UN entity in its policy of increasing agricultural production, by favoring the purchase of local agricultural products. "The Martelly-Lamothe government would have liked that the quantity of local products in the stocks of WFP food security passes the threshold of 25% to 40%," indicated the Head of Government.
Laurent Lamothe has also called the WFP to support national initiatives aiming to the modernization, recapitalization and development of agriculture, by providing technical and financial assistance to the establishment and development of processing infrastructure of certain products such as fruits and tubers. He considers the visit of Madame Cousin as "a rare opportunity to strengthen collaboration between WFP and the state bodies, and to reorienting its operations and its actions based on the priorities of the Government and in the best interests of the nation."
ARTICLE - QUEBEC - UMQ - LABROUSSE
THE EMERGENCY FUND FOR HAITI OF THE UMQ INVESTED $50,000 IN LABROUSSE
(Haiti Libre) -
The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) has proceeded to the signing of a contribution agreement with "Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti." The Board of Directors of the UMQ, has approved a funding of $50,000 through its Emergency Fund for Haiti for the establishment of a complemenatry infrastructure project and integrated into the project of a micro hydroelectric plant currently deployed in Labrousse, a small community in the department of the Southwest of Haiti.
"[...] This is to permit the production of a prototype of a concrete fabrication of concrete poles and to train the Haitian staff who will have to manage and operate this small mobile fabrication plant. These elements are essential to rural electrification of this area and eventually the peripheral areas. The project will promote the development of sustainable local employment in this isolated community in Haiti," declared Eric Forest, President of the UMQ and Mayor of Rimouski.
For Mr. André Gamache, President and founder of "Collaboration-Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti":
"The fundamental purpose of this organization, is to support by all available means and on an exclusive basis, the efforts of FODES-5 [Foundation for Economic and Social Development], a Haitian humanitarian organization, which promotes the economic, social and cultural development in its area of intervention [Labrousse]. To realize this project, Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti and FODES-5 have organized an integrated development plan based on the concept of the Millennium Village advocated by the United Nations to address poverty in developing countries."
This is the eighth project financed by the Emergency Fund for Haiti, funded by voluntary contributions from members of the UMQ, to the tune of $791,857 dollars. The seven other local infrastructure projects have been made in the four municipalities of the region of the Palmes in Haiti, Gressier, Léogane, Grand-Goâve and Petit-Goâve. This fund is a post-earthquake [January 2010] initiative, of the Board of Directors of the UMQ, to provide its share of contributions to Haitian municipalities, and their citizens. It has a mission consisting of allowing the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure destroyed, or the construction of a similar infrastructure, which is necessary and non-existent.
Learn more about Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti:
"Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti" is a nonprofit humanitarian organization, founded in 2004, composed essentially and solely of volunteers, whose mission is to help the inhabitants of one region of Haiti, called Labrousse, and this, by all financial, professionals, technical and material needs.
The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) has proceeded to the signing of a contribution agreement with "Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti." The Board of Directors of the UMQ, has approved a funding of $50,000 through its Emergency Fund for Haiti for the establishment of a complemenatry infrastructure project and integrated into the project of a micro hydroelectric plant currently deployed in Labrousse, a small community in the department of the Southwest of Haiti.
"[...] This is to permit the production of a prototype of a concrete fabrication of concrete poles and to train the Haitian staff who will have to manage and operate this small mobile fabrication plant. These elements are essential to rural electrification of this area and eventually the peripheral areas. The project will promote the development of sustainable local employment in this isolated community in Haiti," declared Eric Forest, President of the UMQ and Mayor of Rimouski.
For Mr. André Gamache, President and founder of "Collaboration-Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti":
"The fundamental purpose of this organization, is to support by all available means and on an exclusive basis, the efforts of FODES-5 [Foundation for Economic and Social Development], a Haitian humanitarian organization, which promotes the economic, social and cultural development in its area of intervention [Labrousse]. To realize this project, Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti and FODES-5 have organized an integrated development plan based on the concept of the Millennium Village advocated by the United Nations to address poverty in developing countries."
This is the eighth project financed by the Emergency Fund for Haiti, funded by voluntary contributions from members of the UMQ, to the tune of $791,857 dollars. The seven other local infrastructure projects have been made in the four municipalities of the region of the Palmes in Haiti, Gressier, Léogane, Grand-Goâve and Petit-Goâve. This fund is a post-earthquake [January 2010] initiative, of the Board of Directors of the UMQ, to provide its share of contributions to Haitian municipalities, and their citizens. It has a mission consisting of allowing the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure destroyed, or the construction of a similar infrastructure, which is necessary and non-existent.
Learn more about Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti:
"Collaboration Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu/Haiti" is a nonprofit humanitarian organization, founded in 2004, composed essentially and solely of volunteers, whose mission is to help the inhabitants of one region of Haiti, called Labrousse, and this, by all financial, professionals, technical and material needs.
ARTICLE - ECUADOR - SOLIDARITY FOR DISABLED
SOLIDARITY MEETING IN ECUADOR FOR GREATER COMMITMENT TO DISABLED
(Prensa Latina) -
Quito, Ecuador - The first continental meeting América Solidaria (Latin America in Solidarity) concluded in this capital with a call for governments to assume greater commitment to disabled citizens, who are currently more than 52 million in the region.
The Vice President of Ecuador Lenin Moreno, said civil societies must make their own the commitments acquired in this meeting, in order to achieve the full inclusion of the disabled in the whole continent.
Moreno expressed his country's willingness to spread the experience acquired through the Manuela Espejo solidarity mission, which envisages the detection, diagnosis and assistance to inhabitants needing special attention.
As a result of this international gathering, an agreement of cooperation was signed among Ecuador, Haiti and the World Bank, to start a study of the disabled in Haiti in July, in order to create a portfolio of projects in line with the needs of the Haitian population.
Participants also agreed to hold in October this year a meeting of the Ibero-American Organization of Social Security (OISS), in the Galapagos Islands, where a program is to be presented, aimed at declaring 2014 as the Year of the Social Inclusion of the Disabled.
At least 15 percent of the world population suffers some form of disability, and of those living in Latin America, 80 percent live below the poverty level; lacking access to training in schools, and jobs adapted to their diversity, according to official estimates.
Quito, Ecuador - The first continental meeting América Solidaria (Latin America in Solidarity) concluded in this capital with a call for governments to assume greater commitment to disabled citizens, who are currently more than 52 million in the region.
The Vice President of Ecuador Lenin Moreno, said civil societies must make their own the commitments acquired in this meeting, in order to achieve the full inclusion of the disabled in the whole continent.
Moreno expressed his country's willingness to spread the experience acquired through the Manuela Espejo solidarity mission, which envisages the detection, diagnosis and assistance to inhabitants needing special attention.
As a result of this international gathering, an agreement of cooperation was signed among Ecuador, Haiti and the World Bank, to start a study of the disabled in Haiti in July, in order to create a portfolio of projects in line with the needs of the Haitian population.
Participants also agreed to hold in October this year a meeting of the Ibero-American Organization of Social Security (OISS), in the Galapagos Islands, where a program is to be presented, aimed at declaring 2014 as the Year of the Social Inclusion of the Disabled.
At least 15 percent of the world population suffers some form of disability, and of those living in Latin America, 80 percent live below the poverty level; lacking access to training in schools, and jobs adapted to their diversity, according to official estimates.
ARTICLE - VENEZUELA - 5,000 HOMES IN HAITI
PM LAMOTHE: VENEZUELA WILL BUILD 5,000 HOMES IN HAITI
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - Venezuela will construct 5,000 homes in Haiti and join in with Cuba to build a $70,000 hospital announced Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe before the Parliament on Tuesday.
Lamothe said 2,500 homes will be constructed in Port-au-Prince and another 280 homes in each of the 9 other departments to house some of the 400,000 persons still living in tent cities since the earthquake of January 12, 2010.
The hospital, which was part of a tripartite agreement signed in May will cost $78,000 to Venezuela and Cuba.
"Agreements, also in participation with Argentina are expected to implement projects for agricultural development in the Caribbean nation, located on the island of Hispanola," said a press release received by South American news agency TeleSur.
"The four countries agreed to create a joint venture to manage project funds of the Venezuelan Petrocaribe in Haiti, building shelters, donating infrastructure for education and the delivery of some 300 scholarships to poor youth," adds the note.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - Venezuela will construct 5,000 homes in Haiti and join in with Cuba to build a $70,000 hospital announced Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe before the Parliament on Tuesday.
Lamothe said 2,500 homes will be constructed in Port-au-Prince and another 280 homes in each of the 9 other departments to house some of the 400,000 persons still living in tent cities since the earthquake of January 12, 2010.
The hospital, which was part of a tripartite agreement signed in May will cost $78,000 to Venezuela and Cuba.
"Agreements, also in participation with Argentina are expected to implement projects for agricultural development in the Caribbean nation, located on the island of Hispanola," said a press release received by South American news agency TeleSur.
"The four countries agreed to create a joint venture to manage project funds of the Venezuelan Petrocaribe in Haiti, building shelters, donating infrastructure for education and the delivery of some 300 scholarships to poor youth," adds the note.
ARTICLE - $12 MILLION - ENERGY REFORM
$12 MILLION FOR HAITI ENERGY REFORM
(Haiti Libre) -
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of a $12 million grant to support Haiti's reforms to modernize its energy sector and increase the availability and affordability of energy.
This is the second of a series of three policy-based grants designed to provide budget support as the Haitian government works to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector and strengthen the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, Energy and Communications to carry out its policy planning and oversight duties. These reforms are also backed by the international donor community.
The grant will support Haiti’s efforts to turn the power utility Electricité d’Haïti (EDH) into a viable and operational company through a management contract, aiming at increasing its revenues and customer base as well as reducing its commercial and technical losses. EDH’s shortfalls constitute a major burden on the government's finances, costing as much as 2.8 percent of GDP in FY2011.
In addition to budget support for energy policy reforms, the IDB has provided Haiti investment grants totaling more than $46 million to help restore the generation capacity of the Péligre hydroelectric plant and to upgrade the power transmission line to Port-au-Prince and key circuits of the capital region’s electricity distribution network.
"This new grant underscores the significant progress Haiti has made toward transforming its energy sector," said IDB Energy Division Chief Leandro Alves. "Coupled with the investments Haiti is making in infrastructure and systems, the policy measures covered by this operation will be critical to achieving a sustainable reform."
(Haiti Libre) -
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of a $12 million grant to support Haiti's reforms to modernize its energy sector and increase the availability and affordability of energy.
This is the second of a series of three policy-based grants designed to provide budget support as the Haitian government works to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector and strengthen the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, Energy and Communications to carry out its policy planning and oversight duties. These reforms are also backed by the international donor community.
The grant will support Haiti’s efforts to turn the power utility Electricité d’Haïti (EDH) into a viable and operational company through a management contract, aiming at increasing its revenues and customer base as well as reducing its commercial and technical losses. EDH’s shortfalls constitute a major burden on the government's finances, costing as much as 2.8 percent of GDP in FY2011.
In addition to budget support for energy policy reforms, the IDB has provided Haiti investment grants totaling more than $46 million to help restore the generation capacity of the Péligre hydroelectric plant and to upgrade the power transmission line to Port-au-Prince and key circuits of the capital region’s electricity distribution network.
"This new grant underscores the significant progress Haiti has made toward transforming its energy sector," said IDB Energy Division Chief Leandro Alves. "Coupled with the investments Haiti is making in infrastructure and systems, the policy measures covered by this operation will be critical to achieving a sustainable reform."
ARTICLE - IMF MISSION TO HAITI - STATEMENT
STATEMENT BY THE IMF MISSION TO HAITI (Text)
(Bloomberg) - By Ainhoa Goyeneche
Following is the text of the mission statement from the International Monetary Fund visit to Haiti:
A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headed by M. Boileau Loko visited Port-au-Prince from June 4 to 8, 2012 for discussions related to the Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.[ 1]
The mission met with Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, Minister of Economy and Finance, Marie Carmelle Jean-Marie, Minister Delegate responsible for human rights and combating extreme poverty, Marie Carmèle Rose Anne Auguste, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti Charles Castel, other senior government officials, and representatives of the banking sector and development partners.
The mission would like to thank the authorities for their warm hospitality and the climate of close cooperation and frank discussion that prevailed throughout its stay.3
At the end of its visit, the mission issued the following statement:
“The economy continues to grow, albeit below the levels projected in the ECF-supported program, which remains broadly on track.
The slowdown in public investment, associated with the process of political transition over the recent months, was offset by sustained dynamism in the commercial sector and manufacturing industries as well as by a good harvest.
Inflation slowed to 5.4 percent in April in line with easing international food and energy prices.
The fiscal position firmed as a result of strong domestic revenue collection and lower capital expenditures than initially forecast in the budget.
Credit to the economy picked up and gross foreign reserves exceeded the equivalent of five months of imports at end-March.
“The government of Haiti and the mission reached agreement ad referendum on the broad outlines of a macroeconomic and structural reform program covering the remainder of 2012 and the new 2013 budget year. The authorities’ program will continue to focus on preserving macroeconomic stability, supporting economic recovery, and further reducing poverty.
“The new government would need to accelerate the pace of reconstruction against the backdrop of political stability and security. With the expected upturn in public investment, real economic growth is expected to range between 4.5 and 5.5 percent in 2012. Raising poverty-reducing expenditures and investment levels will remain key fiscal policy objectives. An appropriate combination of macroeconomic policies should help maintain inflation at around 5 percent, while the external position is set to remain strong.”
“The structural reform program will focus mainly on:
(i) strengthening domestic revenue collection;
(ii) improving public financial management and economic governance;
(iii) strengthening institutional capacity to enhance public investment management;
(iv) reinforcing liquidity management and monetary and foreign exchange operations to bring them more closely in line with market conditions; and
(v) reforming the business environment.
Close coordination between the new government and the donor community is important to ensure the success of the program. The IMF staff will recommend that management request the completion of the fourth review under the ECF, to be taken up by the Executive Board in July 2012.”
(Bloomberg) - By Ainhoa Goyeneche
Following is the text of the mission statement from the International Monetary Fund visit to Haiti:
A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headed by M. Boileau Loko visited Port-au-Prince from June 4 to 8, 2012 for discussions related to the Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.[ 1]
The mission met with Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, Minister of Economy and Finance, Marie Carmelle Jean-Marie, Minister Delegate responsible for human rights and combating extreme poverty, Marie Carmèle Rose Anne Auguste, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti Charles Castel, other senior government officials, and representatives of the banking sector and development partners.
The mission would like to thank the authorities for their warm hospitality and the climate of close cooperation and frank discussion that prevailed throughout its stay.3
At the end of its visit, the mission issued the following statement:
“The economy continues to grow, albeit below the levels projected in the ECF-supported program, which remains broadly on track.
The slowdown in public investment, associated with the process of political transition over the recent months, was offset by sustained dynamism in the commercial sector and manufacturing industries as well as by a good harvest.
Inflation slowed to 5.4 percent in April in line with easing international food and energy prices.
The fiscal position firmed as a result of strong domestic revenue collection and lower capital expenditures than initially forecast in the budget.
Credit to the economy picked up and gross foreign reserves exceeded the equivalent of five months of imports at end-March.
“The government of Haiti and the mission reached agreement ad referendum on the broad outlines of a macroeconomic and structural reform program covering the remainder of 2012 and the new 2013 budget year. The authorities’ program will continue to focus on preserving macroeconomic stability, supporting economic recovery, and further reducing poverty.
“The new government would need to accelerate the pace of reconstruction against the backdrop of political stability and security. With the expected upturn in public investment, real economic growth is expected to range between 4.5 and 5.5 percent in 2012. Raising poverty-reducing expenditures and investment levels will remain key fiscal policy objectives. An appropriate combination of macroeconomic policies should help maintain inflation at around 5 percent, while the external position is set to remain strong.”
“The structural reform program will focus mainly on:
(i) strengthening domestic revenue collection;
(ii) improving public financial management and economic governance;
(iii) strengthening institutional capacity to enhance public investment management;
(iv) reinforcing liquidity management and monetary and foreign exchange operations to bring them more closely in line with market conditions; and
(v) reforming the business environment.
Close coordination between the new government and the donor community is important to ensure the success of the program. The IMF staff will recommend that management request the completion of the fourth review under the ECF, to be taken up by the Executive Board in July 2012.”
ARTICLE - LAMOTHE MEETS DONORS
HAITI PRIME MINISTER LAURENT LAMOTHE MEETS WITH COUNTRY'S DONORS
(Caribbean Journal) -
Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe held the first meeting of exchanges between the new Haitian government and the so-called “Group of 12″ donors to Haiti on Tuesday.
Lamothe, joined by Economy Minister Marie-Carmelle Jean Marie and Planning and External Cooperation Minister Josepha Gauthier, met with Nigel Fisher, the United Nations’ Resident Coordinator for Haiti.
The Group of 12 was originally the G11, with members including Canada, the European Union, France, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Japan, Spain, the United Nations, USAID, the World Bank and a representative of Argentina/Brazil/Chile.
It now includes Norway.
The two sides held talks on a range of issues including Haiti’s strategic development plan, the pace of execution of projects and the promotion of the state budget as a means of implementing public policies, among others.
There have been significant questions over the allocation and disbursement of donor funds in Haiti, brought to prominence by journalist Michele Mitchell’s film, “Haiti, Where Did the Money Go?”
Lamothe called on donors to commit to the implementation of a strategic development plan for Haiti by 2030.
He also spoke of his government’s commitment to escape Haiti’s “absolute dependence” on external aid. Lamothe and the group reiterated their “common will” to work together for Haiti’s sociopolitical development.
Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe held the first meeting of exchanges between the new Haitian government and the so-called “Group of 12″ donors to Haiti on Tuesday.
Lamothe, joined by Economy Minister Marie-Carmelle Jean Marie and Planning and External Cooperation Minister Josepha Gauthier, met with Nigel Fisher, the United Nations’ Resident Coordinator for Haiti.
The Group of 12 was originally the G11, with members including Canada, the European Union, France, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Japan, Spain, the United Nations, USAID, the World Bank and a representative of Argentina/Brazil/Chile.
It now includes Norway.
The two sides held talks on a range of issues including Haiti’s strategic development plan, the pace of execution of projects and the promotion of the state budget as a means of implementing public policies, among others.
There have been significant questions over the allocation and disbursement of donor funds in Haiti, brought to prominence by journalist Michele Mitchell’s film, “Haiti, Where Did the Money Go?”
Lamothe called on donors to commit to the implementation of a strategic development plan for Haiti by 2030.
He also spoke of his government’s commitment to escape Haiti’s “absolute dependence” on external aid. Lamothe and the group reiterated their “common will” to work together for Haiti’s sociopolitical development.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ARTICLE - FRANCE - 400,000 E$ TO PNH
FRANCE OFFERS 400,000 EUROS OF EQUIPMENT TO THE PNH
(Haiti Libre) -
France presented Wednesday, to the National Police of Haiti (PNH), during a ceremony, machines for making cartridges, helmets, bullet-proof vests, and computer equipment worth 400,000 euros to help the National Police in its' work.
The Inspector General, Jean Lionel Trécil declared: "we are happy to receive this new equipment for the proper functioning of the PNH. We will put them to use quickly to the benefit of the protection of our population [...] The hardware will allow faster communication between departmental Directors, and the service will be more effective [...] We will train more technicians to use these machines and equipment."
The Ambassador of France in Haiti, Didier Lebret has taken advantage of this event to return to the PNH operations conducted last weekend "...I have a feeling that it was a beautiful operation; there was no blood shed, there were no injuries (or very few anyway),... and it was done professionally, and very intelligently. Thus, it's also an operation that contributes to restore the word, and authority of the State, because the President had asked that the camps be evacuated.
This shows that in Haiti, we can not do anything; there are decisions, there is an administrative organization, and then there are actions being taken against the decision or order that is not respected. I think that this is a very encouraging sign. It is important to continue, of course; that does not prevent to talk, especially on the social matters of pensions and compensation, and to allow the President and his Government, in good conditions, to be able to address the issue of the strengthening, generally, of the security device in Haiti..."
(Haiti Libre) -
France presented Wednesday, to the National Police of Haiti (PNH), during a ceremony, machines for making cartridges, helmets, bullet-proof vests, and computer equipment worth 400,000 euros to help the National Police in its' work.
The Inspector General, Jean Lionel Trécil declared: "we are happy to receive this new equipment for the proper functioning of the PNH. We will put them to use quickly to the benefit of the protection of our population [...] The hardware will allow faster communication between departmental Directors, and the service will be more effective [...] We will train more technicians to use these machines and equipment."
The Ambassador of France in Haiti, Didier Lebret has taken advantage of this event to return to the PNH operations conducted last weekend "...I have a feeling that it was a beautiful operation; there was no blood shed, there were no injuries (or very few anyway),... and it was done professionally, and very intelligently. Thus, it's also an operation that contributes to restore the word, and authority of the State, because the President had asked that the camps be evacuated.
This shows that in Haiti, we can not do anything; there are decisions, there is an administrative organization, and then there are actions being taken against the decision or order that is not respected. I think that this is a very encouraging sign. It is important to continue, of course; that does not prevent to talk, especially on the social matters of pensions and compensation, and to allow the President and his Government, in good conditions, to be able to address the issue of the strengthening, generally, of the security device in Haiti..."
ARTICLE - U.S GOVERNMENT HAITI REBUILDING
Report to Congress: Assessment of the U.S. Government Haiti Rebuilding and Development Strategy
(U.S. Department of State) - Office of the Haiti Special Coordinator
The Senate report accompanying the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-212) (S. Rept. 111-188, pgs. 62-63), calls for the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committee not later than 90 days after the enactment of the act, and every 180 days thereafter until September 30, 2012, which shall also be posted in a timely manner on a single, consolidated publicly accessible website in a detailed, program-by-program format, that includes a copy of the Haiti Rebuilding and Development Strategy. The report is to include any significant modifications of the Strategy during the preceding 180 days, and an explanation of such changes; a description, by goal and objective, of the implementation of the Strategy; an assessment of progress, or lack thereof, during the preceding 180 days toward meeting the goals and objectives, benchmarks, and timeframes specified in the Strategy, including an assessment of the performance of the Government of Haiti (GOH); a description of U.S. government programs contributing to the achievement of the goals and objectives including the amounts obligated and expended on such programs during the preceding six months; and an assessment of efforts to coordinate U.S. government programs with assistance provided by other donors and implementing partners, including significant gaps in donor assistance.
The requested report, prepared by the Department of State, is being submitted to the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Senate. The information in this report may also be found at: www.state.gov/s/hsc/.
The Post-Earthquake U.S. Government Haiti Strategy sets forth goals for the U.S. to pursue in helping Haiti build back better after the January 2010 earthquake. The U.S. government Haiti Post-earthquake strategy focuses on three geographic areas and targets assistance to infrastructure and energy, food and economic security, health and other basic services, and governance and rule of law.
As Haiti marked the second anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake it celebrated the achievement for the first time in six years of an elected president, an approved Prime Minister (and cabinet), a sitting legislature and a quorum for Supreme Court business. However, in February 2012, after four months in office and under pressure, the newly appointed Prime Minister submitted his resignation. The U.S. government has urged the Executive branch and the Parliament to work together swiftly to identify and confirm a new Prime Minister. The protracted absence of an empowered prime minister will impede progress in the implementation of the Post-Earthquake U.S. Government Haiti Strategy. On May 14 the government of new Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe took office.
In addition, the legislative mandate of the main vehicle for foreign assistance donor coordination, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC), lapsed in October 2011. In the interim, a shared commitment to country-led planning has resulted in representatives from Haiti’s twelve largest donor governments (all of whom were part of the IHRC), and the government of Haiti, to coordinate investments.
Pillar A: Infrastructure and Energy:
The U.S. government’s resolution to improve Haiti’s infrastructure and energy continues by supporting the repair, rehabilitation, and upgrade of the five electrical substations in Port-au-Prince. This program was delayed by four months due to an award protest that resulted in a stop-work order against the awarded contract, which the U.S. Government Accountability Office found in USAID’s favor. A U.S. government contractor is providing management services for the national electric utility. In addition, the installation of the generators and other equipment at Caracol Industrial Park is progressing aggressively so that the facility can be turned over to the anchor tenant, Sae-A on schedule and the facility can be inaugurated in October 2012.
The U.S. government will support the electrification of approximately 1,800 houses in and around Caracol via the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which will hire local Haitians to do distribution line erection and stringing for the project. A program to improve cooking technologies launched in February 2012 will target 10,000 street vendors and 800 schools, orphanages, and other energy-intensive entities in greater Port-au-Prince, and will also assist the GOH in building a legal and regulatory framework for the use of liquefied petroleum gas.
As previously reported, the U.S. government, through the Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF), is providing assistance to an ongoing UNDP rubble removal project, known as Debris II. This initiative is removing rubble in the high-priority Port-au-Prince neighborhoods of Turgeau, Petionville, Bel Air, and Fort National. By the end of January 2012, approximately 153,000 cubic meters of debris from these four neighborhoods had been removed. The U.S. government transferred 23 crushers to the UNDP in March 2012 to support the projects’ rubble recycling activities. With the contribution of Debris II, the U.S. government has removed 2.31 million cubic meters of rubble since the January 2010 earthquake; in total, over 5 million cubic meters have been removed by Haitians and the international community.
Pillar B: Food and Economic Security:
U.S. government funds are supporting food security through the Feed the Future (FtF) West Initiative, which recently supported the winter bean campaign, and procured tractors for selected farmer associations. FtF West is rehabilitating the 900kw Bas Boen power plant to run pumps for regular irrigation water for 2,000 hectares. In addition to supporting corn, rice and plantain production in the Cul de Sac and Saint-Marc corridors a mango processing center is under construction in the Mirebalais area. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, five Ministry of Agriculture employees were pre-selected for interviews for a master’s degree scholarship program.
Funding support from the U.S. government for economic security enabled the February 2012 launch of a Pan American Development Foundation program to attract foreign investment in Haitian small- and micro-enterprises. The program has launched a Business Plan Competition through which it will begin providing funds to winning entrepreneurs in July 2012. Through its support to the Batey Relief Alliance, the U.S. government is also promoting women’s economic empowerment by directing technical assistance and resources to vulnerable women in underserved border regions in Haiti.
Pillar C: Health and Other Basic Services:
A Health Partnership Framework between the U.S. government and the GOH laying out mutual responsibilities to ensure transition of U.S. government-run programs to the GOH is in the final stages of preparation. A request for proposal for a new health system strengthening award, which will support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to build a strengthened and sustainable health information system, is also being finalized.
Three major projects are underway to rebuild and reform management of public health infrastructure: the State University Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and School of Medical Technology, and the National Blood Bank. Existing health facilities are also being renovated in the development corridors and the U.S. government is integrating existing programming in the corridors into functioning referral and counter-referral networks, while supporting the MOH to supervise and manage the referral network.
USAID recently made awards for three of the four components of planned disability programming. These activities will train technicians and therapists; build the capacity of the MOH and Ministry of Social Affairs to develop legislation, guidelines and policies that promote inclusion of people with disabilities; and strengthen the capacity of and build alliances between disabled people’s organizations, the GOH, and civil society. In December 2011, a follow-on project was awarded to provide female survivors of sexual violence and other at-risk women better access to health services, as well as link these women to income-producing projects, vocational education, and information on human rights.
The MOH, supported by CDC, launched an intermediate level Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training program in October 2011. Students are preparing for the third period of training on outbreak response, surveillance, and epidemiologic methods. These students will engage in active disease surveillance and response as their fellowship program continues through 2012. Since cholera broke out in October 2010 the U.S. government has worked directly with partners (the MOH, the National Laboratory and civil society) to focus on preventing cholera transmission through community outreach, distribution of chlorine products, communication campaigns targeting most at-risk areas, training of medical and outreach staff, ensuring availability of a network of oral rehydration points and treatment facilities, ensuring preparedness for emergency response, and improving access to safe household drinking water. While the cholera epidemic caused people to stay away from health centers for issues they perceived to be less urgent, the HIV testing of pregnant women reached an all-time high in 2011 (with 169,493 women tested) as antenatal clinics were able to maintain regular operations.
In the education sector the U.S. government is focusing on improving early grade reading skills through the development of learning materials and in conjunction with training teachers and involving the community. In accordance with the U.S. government strategy, activities are being supported beyond early grade reading in targeted ways, such as through the U.S. government’s $10 million contribution to the HRF to support IDB education projects: building seven schools, training 77 teachers, providing over 14,000 school kits to students, and supporting the GOH’s Ministry of Education through capacity building.
Pillar D: Governance, Rule of Law and Security:
Improved governance and rule of law are critical to Haiti’s stability and sustainable development. The U.S. government is supporting a program to strengthen the legislative, oversight, and representative capacity of Haiti’s Parliament. Priority activities include assisting Parliament to improve its own internal processes, its lawmaking abilities, and its capacity to analyze the GOH budget and monitor spending. To better interact with the public, the program is also providing assistance to maintain and update Parliament’s website while training parliamentary staff to take over this role.
The political challenges faced in Haiti are likely to significantly delay re-building the permanent legislative complex destroyed by the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Haitian Legislative leaders, using extra budgetary funds, have decided to modify the architecture of the new temporary Haitian Parliament complex funded by USAID and inaugurated in November 2011 to prepare the legislative branch for an extended stay. Improvements include adding separate offices, committee hearing rooms, and private toilets for legislative leaders to the building, and extending the perimeter wall to enhance security.
U.S. government funds are being used to improve accountability by strengthening the GOH’s integrated financial management system. The Economic Crimes Team (ECT) assisted in drafting reform legislation including amendments to the money laundering law, a new law regulating gaming and changes to the Penal Procedure Code; however, enactment of these reforms has been hampered by political instability. U.S. government support has assisted units of the HNP and Ministry of Justice to develop their capacity to investigate financial crimes in which units have referred a number of cases for prosecution and have assisted U.S. authorities in several cases; however, successful prosecutions in Haiti have been hampered by the weakness of the Haitian judicial system.
Cooperation from the Haitian financial intelligence and financial crimes investigation units trained by the U.S. government resulted in a Florida federal court handing down a 15-year sentence for bribery, the longest ever imposed in a case involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. As a result of this cooperation, the former president of Terra Telecommunications Corp. was sentenced in August 2011 for his role in a scheme to pay bribes to officials at Haiti Teleco, a state-owned telecommunications company. U.S. government financial support has also assisted the Central Bank in improving its oversight of Haitian banks’ compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Units are being developed to collect and analyze suspicious transaction reports and send and receive data and analysis from banks and authorities in other countries. ECT is closely coordinating its work with the Narcotics Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy.
With U.S. government support, the Director General of tax administration’s internal control unit completed the first audit of the department – which is responsible for direct contact with taxpayers, accepting payments and processing declarations – and began planning the procurement unit audit. As a result, a series of one-week specialized trainings for auditors in telecommunications, insurance, financial services and construction continued allowing the tax administration to meet the Ministry of Finance’s urgent request to review the tax returns of firms in the mobile telecoms industry.
U.S. assistance has also supported the drafting of a revision to the outdated fiscal code pertaining to non-governmental organizations. Many non-governmental organizations have not been withholding and reporting taxes on employees, are engaged in profit-making activities which are not taxed, and are abusing customs exemptions. The draft, though still under review by Department of State and Treasury officials, has been presented to the Ministry and to the General Directorate of Taxes.
Since October 2010, the U.S. government has assisted Haitian judicial authorities to reconstitute 18,500 damaged case files from the Port-au-Prince Prosecutors’ Office and Court of First Instance and train clerks in a new filing system, helping to improve case management. In cooperation with local bar associations, the U.S. government supports free legal aid programs for underserved populations, including legal education, assistance in filing complaints and defense attorneys for criminal trials. To help reduce prolonged pretrial detention at the Petionville Women’s Prison, U.S. government support has helped to move 183 cases toward final adjudication since October 2010, resulting in the release of 60 women being held illegally and a 20 percent overall reduction in the number of pre-trial detainees at the prison.
In parallel, a cooperative agreement to protect the rights of vulnerable women, children and youth, was awarded in March 2012 to strengthen the legislative framework and build the capacity of GOH institutions to prevent and respond to abuse and build the capacity of families, communities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the GOH to assist survivors of abuse. While Haiti does not yet have anti-trafficking legislation, the U.S. government is funding a legal trafficking in persons (TIP) expert to work with the GOH on enacting and implementing pending legislation. Setbacks caused by the resignation of the former Prime Minister have delayed this endeavor. However, some progress has been made on inserting and strengthening penalties for TIP offenders in Haiti’s criminal code.
This new award will build on work undertaken since January 2011 which has identified 452 restavèk children victims of trafficking for direct assistance. Of these, 170 children have been returned and are being reintegrated and 282 children are receiving assistance and family tracing. Twenty child trafficking victims were provided direct assistance in the Dominican Republic before being returned to their community of origin in Haiti. U.S. government funding also supports a Safe House in Ounaminthe, where 114 beneficiaries received shelter, medical, legal, and psychological assistance since the project began in January 2011 and the development of a Train-the-Trainers curriculum for judges and magistrates that will assist them in better identifying and prosecuting TIP cases.
Security goals continue to be addressed through rule of law and security activities. During the last six months, the perimeter wall, chapel, and pavilion at the Haitian National Police (HNP) Academy were completed and 100 new counternarcotics officers concluded six months of specialized training. U.S. government funding continues to support new HNP cadets entering the Academy, assisting in procuring uniforms, food, equipment, and supplies for the students. The U.S. government is also funding the deployment of twelve NYPD officers on ninety-day rotations to provide training to HNP officers. In addition, support also strengthened the HNP’s counternarcotics unit through the procurement of new vehicles to ease movement of the unit.
Funding from the U.S. government facilitated the deployment of police and correction officers in support of MINUSTAH -- currently 88 police officers and seven corrections officers are deployed. Work to repair/reconstruct a police sub-station in Grande Ravine recently began and select correctional facilities were identified for improvements. Plans to construct two new prisons, including one new women’s prison have advanced, despite challenges in getting land with clear title. The U.S. supported cross-training sessions on counternarcotics and anti-money laundering as well courses on ethics and gender-based violence training. These training sessions were targeted at members of the police and judiciary, and represented the first joint training of police and magistrates.
(U.S. Department of State) - Office of the Haiti Special Coordinator
The Senate report accompanying the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-212) (S. Rept. 111-188, pgs. 62-63), calls for the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committee not later than 90 days after the enactment of the act, and every 180 days thereafter until September 30, 2012, which shall also be posted in a timely manner on a single, consolidated publicly accessible website in a detailed, program-by-program format, that includes a copy of the Haiti Rebuilding and Development Strategy. The report is to include any significant modifications of the Strategy during the preceding 180 days, and an explanation of such changes; a description, by goal and objective, of the implementation of the Strategy; an assessment of progress, or lack thereof, during the preceding 180 days toward meeting the goals and objectives, benchmarks, and timeframes specified in the Strategy, including an assessment of the performance of the Government of Haiti (GOH); a description of U.S. government programs contributing to the achievement of the goals and objectives including the amounts obligated and expended on such programs during the preceding six months; and an assessment of efforts to coordinate U.S. government programs with assistance provided by other donors and implementing partners, including significant gaps in donor assistance.
The requested report, prepared by the Department of State, is being submitted to the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Senate. The information in this report may also be found at: www.state.gov/s/hsc/.
The Post-Earthquake U.S. Government Haiti Strategy sets forth goals for the U.S. to pursue in helping Haiti build back better after the January 2010 earthquake. The U.S. government Haiti Post-earthquake strategy focuses on three geographic areas and targets assistance to infrastructure and energy, food and economic security, health and other basic services, and governance and rule of law.
As Haiti marked the second anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake it celebrated the achievement for the first time in six years of an elected president, an approved Prime Minister (and cabinet), a sitting legislature and a quorum for Supreme Court business. However, in February 2012, after four months in office and under pressure, the newly appointed Prime Minister submitted his resignation. The U.S. government has urged the Executive branch and the Parliament to work together swiftly to identify and confirm a new Prime Minister. The protracted absence of an empowered prime minister will impede progress in the implementation of the Post-Earthquake U.S. Government Haiti Strategy. On May 14 the government of new Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe took office.
In addition, the legislative mandate of the main vehicle for foreign assistance donor coordination, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC), lapsed in October 2011. In the interim, a shared commitment to country-led planning has resulted in representatives from Haiti’s twelve largest donor governments (all of whom were part of the IHRC), and the government of Haiti, to coordinate investments.
Pillar A: Infrastructure and Energy:
The U.S. government’s resolution to improve Haiti’s infrastructure and energy continues by supporting the repair, rehabilitation, and upgrade of the five electrical substations in Port-au-Prince. This program was delayed by four months due to an award protest that resulted in a stop-work order against the awarded contract, which the U.S. Government Accountability Office found in USAID’s favor. A U.S. government contractor is providing management services for the national electric utility. In addition, the installation of the generators and other equipment at Caracol Industrial Park is progressing aggressively so that the facility can be turned over to the anchor tenant, Sae-A on schedule and the facility can be inaugurated in October 2012.
The U.S. government will support the electrification of approximately 1,800 houses in and around Caracol via the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which will hire local Haitians to do distribution line erection and stringing for the project. A program to improve cooking technologies launched in February 2012 will target 10,000 street vendors and 800 schools, orphanages, and other energy-intensive entities in greater Port-au-Prince, and will also assist the GOH in building a legal and regulatory framework for the use of liquefied petroleum gas.
As previously reported, the U.S. government, through the Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF), is providing assistance to an ongoing UNDP rubble removal project, known as Debris II. This initiative is removing rubble in the high-priority Port-au-Prince neighborhoods of Turgeau, Petionville, Bel Air, and Fort National. By the end of January 2012, approximately 153,000 cubic meters of debris from these four neighborhoods had been removed. The U.S. government transferred 23 crushers to the UNDP in March 2012 to support the projects’ rubble recycling activities. With the contribution of Debris II, the U.S. government has removed 2.31 million cubic meters of rubble since the January 2010 earthquake; in total, over 5 million cubic meters have been removed by Haitians and the international community.
Pillar B: Food and Economic Security:
U.S. government funds are supporting food security through the Feed the Future (FtF) West Initiative, which recently supported the winter bean campaign, and procured tractors for selected farmer associations. FtF West is rehabilitating the 900kw Bas Boen power plant to run pumps for regular irrigation water for 2,000 hectares. In addition to supporting corn, rice and plantain production in the Cul de Sac and Saint-Marc corridors a mango processing center is under construction in the Mirebalais area. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, five Ministry of Agriculture employees were pre-selected for interviews for a master’s degree scholarship program.
Funding support from the U.S. government for economic security enabled the February 2012 launch of a Pan American Development Foundation program to attract foreign investment in Haitian small- and micro-enterprises. The program has launched a Business Plan Competition through which it will begin providing funds to winning entrepreneurs in July 2012. Through its support to the Batey Relief Alliance, the U.S. government is also promoting women’s economic empowerment by directing technical assistance and resources to vulnerable women in underserved border regions in Haiti.
Pillar C: Health and Other Basic Services:
A Health Partnership Framework between the U.S. government and the GOH laying out mutual responsibilities to ensure transition of U.S. government-run programs to the GOH is in the final stages of preparation. A request for proposal for a new health system strengthening award, which will support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to build a strengthened and sustainable health information system, is also being finalized.
Three major projects are underway to rebuild and reform management of public health infrastructure: the State University Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and School of Medical Technology, and the National Blood Bank. Existing health facilities are also being renovated in the development corridors and the U.S. government is integrating existing programming in the corridors into functioning referral and counter-referral networks, while supporting the MOH to supervise and manage the referral network.
USAID recently made awards for three of the four components of planned disability programming. These activities will train technicians and therapists; build the capacity of the MOH and Ministry of Social Affairs to develop legislation, guidelines and policies that promote inclusion of people with disabilities; and strengthen the capacity of and build alliances between disabled people’s organizations, the GOH, and civil society. In December 2011, a follow-on project was awarded to provide female survivors of sexual violence and other at-risk women better access to health services, as well as link these women to income-producing projects, vocational education, and information on human rights.
The MOH, supported by CDC, launched an intermediate level Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training program in October 2011. Students are preparing for the third period of training on outbreak response, surveillance, and epidemiologic methods. These students will engage in active disease surveillance and response as their fellowship program continues through 2012. Since cholera broke out in October 2010 the U.S. government has worked directly with partners (the MOH, the National Laboratory and civil society) to focus on preventing cholera transmission through community outreach, distribution of chlorine products, communication campaigns targeting most at-risk areas, training of medical and outreach staff, ensuring availability of a network of oral rehydration points and treatment facilities, ensuring preparedness for emergency response, and improving access to safe household drinking water. While the cholera epidemic caused people to stay away from health centers for issues they perceived to be less urgent, the HIV testing of pregnant women reached an all-time high in 2011 (with 169,493 women tested) as antenatal clinics were able to maintain regular operations.
In the education sector the U.S. government is focusing on improving early grade reading skills through the development of learning materials and in conjunction with training teachers and involving the community. In accordance with the U.S. government strategy, activities are being supported beyond early grade reading in targeted ways, such as through the U.S. government’s $10 million contribution to the HRF to support IDB education projects: building seven schools, training 77 teachers, providing over 14,000 school kits to students, and supporting the GOH’s Ministry of Education through capacity building.
Pillar D: Governance, Rule of Law and Security:
Improved governance and rule of law are critical to Haiti’s stability and sustainable development. The U.S. government is supporting a program to strengthen the legislative, oversight, and representative capacity of Haiti’s Parliament. Priority activities include assisting Parliament to improve its own internal processes, its lawmaking abilities, and its capacity to analyze the GOH budget and monitor spending. To better interact with the public, the program is also providing assistance to maintain and update Parliament’s website while training parliamentary staff to take over this role.
The political challenges faced in Haiti are likely to significantly delay re-building the permanent legislative complex destroyed by the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Haitian Legislative leaders, using extra budgetary funds, have decided to modify the architecture of the new temporary Haitian Parliament complex funded by USAID and inaugurated in November 2011 to prepare the legislative branch for an extended stay. Improvements include adding separate offices, committee hearing rooms, and private toilets for legislative leaders to the building, and extending the perimeter wall to enhance security.
U.S. government funds are being used to improve accountability by strengthening the GOH’s integrated financial management system. The Economic Crimes Team (ECT) assisted in drafting reform legislation including amendments to the money laundering law, a new law regulating gaming and changes to the Penal Procedure Code; however, enactment of these reforms has been hampered by political instability. U.S. government support has assisted units of the HNP and Ministry of Justice to develop their capacity to investigate financial crimes in which units have referred a number of cases for prosecution and have assisted U.S. authorities in several cases; however, successful prosecutions in Haiti have been hampered by the weakness of the Haitian judicial system.
Cooperation from the Haitian financial intelligence and financial crimes investigation units trained by the U.S. government resulted in a Florida federal court handing down a 15-year sentence for bribery, the longest ever imposed in a case involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. As a result of this cooperation, the former president of Terra Telecommunications Corp. was sentenced in August 2011 for his role in a scheme to pay bribes to officials at Haiti Teleco, a state-owned telecommunications company. U.S. government financial support has also assisted the Central Bank in improving its oversight of Haitian banks’ compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Units are being developed to collect and analyze suspicious transaction reports and send and receive data and analysis from banks and authorities in other countries. ECT is closely coordinating its work with the Narcotics Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy.
With U.S. government support, the Director General of tax administration’s internal control unit completed the first audit of the department – which is responsible for direct contact with taxpayers, accepting payments and processing declarations – and began planning the procurement unit audit. As a result, a series of one-week specialized trainings for auditors in telecommunications, insurance, financial services and construction continued allowing the tax administration to meet the Ministry of Finance’s urgent request to review the tax returns of firms in the mobile telecoms industry.
U.S. assistance has also supported the drafting of a revision to the outdated fiscal code pertaining to non-governmental organizations. Many non-governmental organizations have not been withholding and reporting taxes on employees, are engaged in profit-making activities which are not taxed, and are abusing customs exemptions. The draft, though still under review by Department of State and Treasury officials, has been presented to the Ministry and to the General Directorate of Taxes.
Since October 2010, the U.S. government has assisted Haitian judicial authorities to reconstitute 18,500 damaged case files from the Port-au-Prince Prosecutors’ Office and Court of First Instance and train clerks in a new filing system, helping to improve case management. In cooperation with local bar associations, the U.S. government supports free legal aid programs for underserved populations, including legal education, assistance in filing complaints and defense attorneys for criminal trials. To help reduce prolonged pretrial detention at the Petionville Women’s Prison, U.S. government support has helped to move 183 cases toward final adjudication since October 2010, resulting in the release of 60 women being held illegally and a 20 percent overall reduction in the number of pre-trial detainees at the prison.
In parallel, a cooperative agreement to protect the rights of vulnerable women, children and youth, was awarded in March 2012 to strengthen the legislative framework and build the capacity of GOH institutions to prevent and respond to abuse and build the capacity of families, communities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the GOH to assist survivors of abuse. While Haiti does not yet have anti-trafficking legislation, the U.S. government is funding a legal trafficking in persons (TIP) expert to work with the GOH on enacting and implementing pending legislation. Setbacks caused by the resignation of the former Prime Minister have delayed this endeavor. However, some progress has been made on inserting and strengthening penalties for TIP offenders in Haiti’s criminal code.
This new award will build on work undertaken since January 2011 which has identified 452 restavèk children victims of trafficking for direct assistance. Of these, 170 children have been returned and are being reintegrated and 282 children are receiving assistance and family tracing. Twenty child trafficking victims were provided direct assistance in the Dominican Republic before being returned to their community of origin in Haiti. U.S. government funding also supports a Safe House in Ounaminthe, where 114 beneficiaries received shelter, medical, legal, and psychological assistance since the project began in January 2011 and the development of a Train-the-Trainers curriculum for judges and magistrates that will assist them in better identifying and prosecuting TIP cases.
Security goals continue to be addressed through rule of law and security activities. During the last six months, the perimeter wall, chapel, and pavilion at the Haitian National Police (HNP) Academy were completed and 100 new counternarcotics officers concluded six months of specialized training. U.S. government funding continues to support new HNP cadets entering the Academy, assisting in procuring uniforms, food, equipment, and supplies for the students. The U.S. government is also funding the deployment of twelve NYPD officers on ninety-day rotations to provide training to HNP officers. In addition, support also strengthened the HNP’s counternarcotics unit through the procurement of new vehicles to ease movement of the unit.
Funding from the U.S. government facilitated the deployment of police and correction officers in support of MINUSTAH -- currently 88 police officers and seven corrections officers are deployed. Work to repair/reconstruct a police sub-station in Grande Ravine recently began and select correctional facilities were identified for improvements. Plans to construct two new prisons, including one new women’s prison have advanced, despite challenges in getting land with clear title. The U.S. supported cross-training sessions on counternarcotics and anti-money laundering as well courses on ethics and gender-based violence training. These training sessions were targeted at members of the police and judiciary, and represented the first joint training of police and magistrates.
ARTICLE - DECLARATION OF COCHABAMBA
42ND OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES WITH ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF COCHABAMBA
(The Bahamas Weekly) - By OAS
BOLIVIA - The Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS), meeting in Cochabamba for the forty-second regular session of the OAS General Assembly, issued an appeal today (June 6th), “to promote agriculture development with the goal of strengthening food security,” in what constituted the first message of the Declaration of Cochabamba, a document resulting from an exchange of views among the countries on “Food Security with Sovereignty,” the central theme of this meeting.
The final declaration of the Assembly recognizes that approximately 53 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean (about nine percent of the region’s population) suffer from malnutrition or chronic hunger. It is therefore important, according to the text, to strengthen food access, ensure its quality, and increase and improve production as well as investment in food research and production, in order to achieve food and nutrition security for all.
The complete text of the Declaration of Cochabamba is available here: http://scm.oas.org/42AG/Documentos/VOL_ENG.doc
In the text, the countries recognize that “demand for food is growing,” that the region is affected by crises of diverse nature, and that in recent years there has been “excessive volatility of commodity prices.” They also express their willingness to further public policies to support family agriculture, foster regional humanitarian cooperation, promote public-private investment in the agriculture sector, establish strategies and mechanisms to respond to food crises, and foster an open and transparent international trade system.
The need for programs in food education, strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers, expanding access to safe drinking water, and protecting biodiversity are also highlighted in the Declaration, as is the importance of modernization and technical innovation. In this regard, the supreme organ of the OAS declared its commitment to “eradicating hunger and malnutrition in the Americas.”
Question of the Malvinas Islands
During the fourth and final plenary session of the Assembly, a discussion took place on the Malvinas Islands, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Hector Timerman, reiterated Argentina’s claim over the archipelago and explained the historical reasons behind it.
The Argentine Foreign Minister also applauded the fact that a delegation from the United Kingdom had asked to take the floor at the Assembly session. He stated that “this demonstrates the strength of the OAS; it demonstrates the importance of our Organization. After 19 resolutions adopted by this Assembly, we have managed to have the United Kingdom come and ask to speak on the matter.” He urged the member countries to continue supporting his country’s claim, in the quest for dialogue. “This forum has been calling for dialogue between Great Britain and my country for more than three decades. I want to engage in dialogue with Great Britain; I want to negotiate with Great Britain. I want to resolve this colonial conflict peacefully.”
On taking the floor, the representative of the United Kingdom, Fiona Clouder, Acting Director for the Americas of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, said that she was “honored” by the Argentine Minister’s offer to meet with her but cautioned that she would need authorization from her ministers to do so. She then stated that “Argentina’s recent actions in respect of the islands have not been constructive” and, in conclusion, she asked the Assembly to “take note of the right to self-determination” of the islanders.
Following the statement by the Argentine Foreign Minister, the member country delegates supported the resumption of negotiations between the two countries involved in the protracted dispute. Foreign Minister Timerman and Director Clouder then shook hands and talked for a few minutes.
Maritime Access of Bolivia
The Bolivian Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, gave a brief historical account of the agreements and events surrounding his country’s maritime claim and stated that “a people cannot be condemned, in the midst of the twenty-first century, to live in inequality and under a stranglehold, with the world at a different level of cultural development.” He called for support from the member states, affirming that Bolivia’s present situation isolates the country “from international navigation and trade, affecting Bolivian industry and commerce and thus, clearly, our economy.” In conclusion, he said that “Bolivia is a peaceful country and the solution to its just demand entails measures negotiated on the basis of international legal norms and the principle of good faith. Our country will therefore continue to seek a solution to its century-old claim bilaterally and through international courts — one that may, through justice and law, return to it what is its due.”
In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Alfredo Moreno, said that “throughout its history, Chile has been open to seeking solutions to improve Bolivia’s access to the sea and that several diplomatic talks and negotiations have taken place over the past century.” He added that, in the same spirit, “we cannot ignore a reality: our two countries need one another and have developed an agenda that identifies areas on which we want to work and especially engage in dialogue and where we have already seen significant progress.” He concluded with a reference to the importance of working together: “Chile will pursue its commitment, in the best and most sincere spirit, to develop closer ties with Bolivia, because it is convinced that cooperation is of benefit to both peoples.”
After hearing the statements by the foreign ministers of both nations, the heads of the delegations took the floor to express support for dialogue, bilateral talks, a peaceful approach, and the search for a consensus on this question.
Human Rights
The General Assembly resolved to accept the report of the Special Working Group — chaired by Mexico — to Reflect on the Workings of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with a view to Strengthening the Inter-American Human Rights System. Said report was approved by the Permanent Council on January 25, 2012. The General Assembly resolved to instruct the Permanent Council to formulate, on the basis of the report and in concert with all interested parties, proposals for its implementation. Within six months, or during the first quarter of 2013 at the latest, those proposals will be submitted to a special session of the General Assembly for consideration.
In his report to the General Assembly, José de Jesús Orozco, President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), said that the Commission’s functions were based on “its autonomy and independence.” The Mexican commissioner was of the view that “we are at a critical moment for the Inter-American system” and that “what is at stake — and have no doubt about it — is the patrimony that the member states, civil society, and the Inter-American organs have built to enable future generations in the Hemisphere to enjoy their rights.” “The Commission is an effective tool for the protection of human rights,” Commissioner Orozco affirmed.
The President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Diego García Sayan, presented the report to the General Assembly on the activities of his institution in the past year and emphasized its relevance today. “It is a living organ that has a dynamic presence in societies, including over 500 million people in the process. The societies are drawing increasingly close to the dynamics of the Court and, in turn, the Court is taking steps to move closer to the essential needs of the peoples of the Americas.”
The OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, spoke during the session to state that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Court are “some of the Organization’s most brilliant institutions.” “If I did not think this was so, I certainly would not talk about strengthening them. We have had some differences, I myself have had them, but I believe that we really have an Inter-American human rights system in the absence of which the OAS could not exist,” he affirmed.
The OAS Secretary General added that the IACHR “has acquired well deserved prestige over the years and, hopefully, the heat of discussion will not result in harm to this institution, which is so important to us.” The head of the OAS concluded his statement with an express acknowledgment of the work of the outgoing Executive Secretary of the IACHR: “I have never questioned his good faith and his desire to serve the cause of human rights in this region. And it would not be just, at the moment at which he leaves his post, to fail to express to Santiago Canton all of the recognition he deserves.”
Election of Members of Committees and Commissions
Officers of the organs, agencies, and entities of the Organization were elected at the fourth plenary session. The following were elected to serve on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights: Eduardo Ferrer Mac-Gregor Poisot (Mexico), Humberto Sierra Porto (Colombia), and Roberto de Figueredo Caldas (Brazil).
The following were elected to the Inter-American Juridical Committee: Fabián Novak Talavera (Peru), David Steward (United States), and Gélin Imanès Collot (Haiti). Elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas were Manuel Arturo Montesino (El Salvador) and Douglass Cassel (United States).
Héctor Enrique Arce Zaconeta (Bolivia) was elected to fill the vacancy on the Administrative Tribunal of the OAS.
The election of a member of the Board of External Auditors to Examine the Accounts of the General Secretariat remained pending and would be held by the OAS Permanent Council on August 31, 2012.
(The Bahamas Weekly) - By OAS
BOLIVIA - The Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS), meeting in Cochabamba for the forty-second regular session of the OAS General Assembly, issued an appeal today (June 6th), “to promote agriculture development with the goal of strengthening food security,” in what constituted the first message of the Declaration of Cochabamba, a document resulting from an exchange of views among the countries on “Food Security with Sovereignty,” the central theme of this meeting.
The final declaration of the Assembly recognizes that approximately 53 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean (about nine percent of the region’s population) suffer from malnutrition or chronic hunger. It is therefore important, according to the text, to strengthen food access, ensure its quality, and increase and improve production as well as investment in food research and production, in order to achieve food and nutrition security for all.
The complete text of the Declaration of Cochabamba is available here: http://scm.oas.org/42AG/Documentos/VOL_ENG.doc
In the text, the countries recognize that “demand for food is growing,” that the region is affected by crises of diverse nature, and that in recent years there has been “excessive volatility of commodity prices.” They also express their willingness to further public policies to support family agriculture, foster regional humanitarian cooperation, promote public-private investment in the agriculture sector, establish strategies and mechanisms to respond to food crises, and foster an open and transparent international trade system.
The need for programs in food education, strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers, expanding access to safe drinking water, and protecting biodiversity are also highlighted in the Declaration, as is the importance of modernization and technical innovation. In this regard, the supreme organ of the OAS declared its commitment to “eradicating hunger and malnutrition in the Americas.”
Question of the Malvinas Islands
During the fourth and final plenary session of the Assembly, a discussion took place on the Malvinas Islands, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Hector Timerman, reiterated Argentina’s claim over the archipelago and explained the historical reasons behind it.
The Argentine Foreign Minister also applauded the fact that a delegation from the United Kingdom had asked to take the floor at the Assembly session. He stated that “this demonstrates the strength of the OAS; it demonstrates the importance of our Organization. After 19 resolutions adopted by this Assembly, we have managed to have the United Kingdom come and ask to speak on the matter.” He urged the member countries to continue supporting his country’s claim, in the quest for dialogue. “This forum has been calling for dialogue between Great Britain and my country for more than three decades. I want to engage in dialogue with Great Britain; I want to negotiate with Great Britain. I want to resolve this colonial conflict peacefully.”
On taking the floor, the representative of the United Kingdom, Fiona Clouder, Acting Director for the Americas of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, said that she was “honored” by the Argentine Minister’s offer to meet with her but cautioned that she would need authorization from her ministers to do so. She then stated that “Argentina’s recent actions in respect of the islands have not been constructive” and, in conclusion, she asked the Assembly to “take note of the right to self-determination” of the islanders.
Following the statement by the Argentine Foreign Minister, the member country delegates supported the resumption of negotiations between the two countries involved in the protracted dispute. Foreign Minister Timerman and Director Clouder then shook hands and talked for a few minutes.
Maritime Access of Bolivia
The Bolivian Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, gave a brief historical account of the agreements and events surrounding his country’s maritime claim and stated that “a people cannot be condemned, in the midst of the twenty-first century, to live in inequality and under a stranglehold, with the world at a different level of cultural development.” He called for support from the member states, affirming that Bolivia’s present situation isolates the country “from international navigation and trade, affecting Bolivian industry and commerce and thus, clearly, our economy.” In conclusion, he said that “Bolivia is a peaceful country and the solution to its just demand entails measures negotiated on the basis of international legal norms and the principle of good faith. Our country will therefore continue to seek a solution to its century-old claim bilaterally and through international courts — one that may, through justice and law, return to it what is its due.”
In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Alfredo Moreno, said that “throughout its history, Chile has been open to seeking solutions to improve Bolivia’s access to the sea and that several diplomatic talks and negotiations have taken place over the past century.” He added that, in the same spirit, “we cannot ignore a reality: our two countries need one another and have developed an agenda that identifies areas on which we want to work and especially engage in dialogue and where we have already seen significant progress.” He concluded with a reference to the importance of working together: “Chile will pursue its commitment, in the best and most sincere spirit, to develop closer ties with Bolivia, because it is convinced that cooperation is of benefit to both peoples.”
After hearing the statements by the foreign ministers of both nations, the heads of the delegations took the floor to express support for dialogue, bilateral talks, a peaceful approach, and the search for a consensus on this question.
Human Rights
The General Assembly resolved to accept the report of the Special Working Group — chaired by Mexico — to Reflect on the Workings of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with a view to Strengthening the Inter-American Human Rights System. Said report was approved by the Permanent Council on January 25, 2012. The General Assembly resolved to instruct the Permanent Council to formulate, on the basis of the report and in concert with all interested parties, proposals for its implementation. Within six months, or during the first quarter of 2013 at the latest, those proposals will be submitted to a special session of the General Assembly for consideration.
In his report to the General Assembly, José de Jesús Orozco, President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), said that the Commission’s functions were based on “its autonomy and independence.” The Mexican commissioner was of the view that “we are at a critical moment for the Inter-American system” and that “what is at stake — and have no doubt about it — is the patrimony that the member states, civil society, and the Inter-American organs have built to enable future generations in the Hemisphere to enjoy their rights.” “The Commission is an effective tool for the protection of human rights,” Commissioner Orozco affirmed.
The President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Diego García Sayan, presented the report to the General Assembly on the activities of his institution in the past year and emphasized its relevance today. “It is a living organ that has a dynamic presence in societies, including over 500 million people in the process. The societies are drawing increasingly close to the dynamics of the Court and, in turn, the Court is taking steps to move closer to the essential needs of the peoples of the Americas.”
The OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, spoke during the session to state that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Court are “some of the Organization’s most brilliant institutions.” “If I did not think this was so, I certainly would not talk about strengthening them. We have had some differences, I myself have had them, but I believe that we really have an Inter-American human rights system in the absence of which the OAS could not exist,” he affirmed.
The OAS Secretary General added that the IACHR “has acquired well deserved prestige over the years and, hopefully, the heat of discussion will not result in harm to this institution, which is so important to us.” The head of the OAS concluded his statement with an express acknowledgment of the work of the outgoing Executive Secretary of the IACHR: “I have never questioned his good faith and his desire to serve the cause of human rights in this region. And it would not be just, at the moment at which he leaves his post, to fail to express to Santiago Canton all of the recognition he deserves.”
Election of Members of Committees and Commissions
Officers of the organs, agencies, and entities of the Organization were elected at the fourth plenary session. The following were elected to serve on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights: Eduardo Ferrer Mac-Gregor Poisot (Mexico), Humberto Sierra Porto (Colombia), and Roberto de Figueredo Caldas (Brazil).
The following were elected to the Inter-American Juridical Committee: Fabián Novak Talavera (Peru), David Steward (United States), and Gélin Imanès Collot (Haiti). Elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas were Manuel Arturo Montesino (El Salvador) and Douglass Cassel (United States).
Héctor Enrique Arce Zaconeta (Bolivia) was elected to fill the vacancy on the Administrative Tribunal of the OAS.
The election of a member of the Board of External Auditors to Examine the Accounts of the General Secretariat remained pending and would be held by the OAS Permanent Council on August 31, 2012.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
ARTICLE - UNASUR DEFENSE COUNCIL
UNASUR DEFENSE COUNCIL STUDIES HAITI SITUATION
(Prensa Latina) -
Asuncion - The South American Defense Council of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) addressed today in Asuncion, Paraguay, the situation of cooperation with Haiti and the Fiscal Defense Expenses.
The debates with defense ministers, vice ministers and top brass of Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Suriname termed as positive the aid to Haiti, and the convenience of a timetable for South Americaa's gradual military withdrawal from the MINUSTAH, without neglecting aid to the Caribbean nation.
At the opening, General Catalino Roy Ortiz,Defense Minister of Paraguay, stressed the terms for the final withdrawal from Haiti will be based on the existing safe environment, and lauded the aid to the government and people of Haiti to guarantee safety and stability, and he underlined the Cooperation Council efforts among the members of UNASUR in the field of defense.
The Center of Strategic Studies submitted the Expense Registry Report, which some guests defined as a gesture of transparence and expression of the new defense policy.
UNASUR will host an extraordinary session Monday in Bogota to officially welcome Venezuela as the Secretary General of the organization.
(Prensa Latina) -
Asuncion - The South American Defense Council of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) addressed today in Asuncion, Paraguay, the situation of cooperation with Haiti and the Fiscal Defense Expenses.
The debates with defense ministers, vice ministers and top brass of Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Suriname termed as positive the aid to Haiti, and the convenience of a timetable for South Americaa's gradual military withdrawal from the MINUSTAH, without neglecting aid to the Caribbean nation.
At the opening, General Catalino Roy Ortiz,Defense Minister of Paraguay, stressed the terms for the final withdrawal from Haiti will be based on the existing safe environment, and lauded the aid to the government and people of Haiti to guarantee safety and stability, and he underlined the Cooperation Council efforts among the members of UNASUR in the field of defense.
The Center of Strategic Studies submitted the Expense Registry Report, which some guests defined as a gesture of transparence and expression of the new defense policy.
UNASUR will host an extraordinary session Monday in Bogota to officially welcome Venezuela as the Secretary General of the organization.
ARTICLE - MUNICIPAL COOPERATION PROGRAM
MUNICIPAL COOPERATION PROGRAM
(Haiti Libre) -
On the occasion of the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the Municipal Cooperation Program Haiti-Canada (PCM), the Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, received at City Hall earlier this week, members of PCM, composed of representatives of municipalities and of the Haitian government, the City of Montreal, the Quebec Union of Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), so that they can adopt the Annual Report, as well as the Action Plan of the PCM for 2012-2013. They also took the opportunity to discuss objectives and orientations for Phase II of the PCM which could last from 2013 to 2018.
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome members of the Steering Committee of PCM in the context of the pursuit of objectives that we set out to support the Haitian communities hard hit by the earthquake of January 2010, in their reconstruction projects. Montrealers have always been in solidarity with the Haitian people and we will continue to provide our expertise so that local governments are better equipped to manage their communities," declared the Mayor of Montreal.
During their stay, members of the Haitian delegation met with leaders of various municipal organizations to learn more about the associative principles, taxation and the mechanisms of consultation and public consultation. Meetings were also held with elected Montrealers to discuss the environment, culture, Women and Youth.
Funded by CIDA, the PCM program is composed of mayors and deputy mayors of Port-au-Prince, Gressier, Léogane, Petit Goâve and Grand Goâve, the delegate of the Haitian government represented by the Ministry of Interior and Local Authorities in Haiti (MICT), representatives of the National Federation of Haitian Mayors (FENAMH), the National Federation of Boards of Haitian Communal Section (FENACAH), representatives of the City of Montreal, the Quebec Union of Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as well as the Canadian government representative of CIDA.
Recall that at the launch of the PCM in January 2011, the City of Montreal pledged to provide support to the reconstruction of the City of Port-au-Prince hit hard by the earthquake of January 12, 2010 through a human resource contribution. In total, fifty missions were planned during the first phase. To date, 23 missions have already been made and allocated as follows: 7 missions in project management, 7 missions in administration and governance, and 9 missions in management and land planning.
(Haiti Libre) -
On the occasion of the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the Municipal Cooperation Program Haiti-Canada (PCM), the Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, received at City Hall earlier this week, members of PCM, composed of representatives of municipalities and of the Haitian government, the City of Montreal, the Quebec Union of Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), so that they can adopt the Annual Report, as well as the Action Plan of the PCM for 2012-2013. They also took the opportunity to discuss objectives and orientations for Phase II of the PCM which could last from 2013 to 2018.
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome members of the Steering Committee of PCM in the context of the pursuit of objectives that we set out to support the Haitian communities hard hit by the earthquake of January 2010, in their reconstruction projects. Montrealers have always been in solidarity with the Haitian people and we will continue to provide our expertise so that local governments are better equipped to manage their communities," declared the Mayor of Montreal.
During their stay, members of the Haitian delegation met with leaders of various municipal organizations to learn more about the associative principles, taxation and the mechanisms of consultation and public consultation. Meetings were also held with elected Montrealers to discuss the environment, culture, Women and Youth.
Funded by CIDA, the PCM program is composed of mayors and deputy mayors of Port-au-Prince, Gressier, Léogane, Petit Goâve and Grand Goâve, the delegate of the Haitian government represented by the Ministry of Interior and Local Authorities in Haiti (MICT), representatives of the National Federation of Haitian Mayors (FENAMH), the National Federation of Boards of Haitian Communal Section (FENACAH), representatives of the City of Montreal, the Quebec Union of Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as well as the Canadian government representative of CIDA.
Recall that at the launch of the PCM in January 2011, the City of Montreal pledged to provide support to the reconstruction of the City of Port-au-Prince hit hard by the earthquake of January 12, 2010 through a human resource contribution. In total, fifty missions were planned during the first phase. To date, 23 missions have already been made and allocated as follows: 7 missions in project management, 7 missions in administration and governance, and 9 missions in management and land planning.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
ARTICLE - LAMOTHE - AT OAS - BOLIVIA
LAURENT LAMOTHE AT THE 42ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE OAS IN BOLIVIA (SPEECH)
(Haiti Libre) -
The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Laurent Lamothe spoke this Monday, June 4, 2012, at the 42nd Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held from June 3 to 5 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on the theme of "Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas".
From the outset, Laurent Lamothe made a reminder of the struggle of the Haitian and Bolivian peoples for the emancipation and unity of Latin America. "It is this unity that the two peoples continue to defend vigorously", affirmed the Prime Minister, who reiterated his commitment to give as soon as possible the expected results in the 5 "E's"; Environment, Energy, Education, Rule of Law, Creation of Jobs.
Laurent Lamothe also mentioned some points of common interests, as the issue of reform of the cadastre,the civil registry, justice and parliamentary elections that will be free and fair in Haiti under his Government. He also discussed all the efforts of Haiti to combat extreme poverty and defend human rights, starting with the right to health or food safety.
Speech of Laurent Lamothe:
"Mr. Secretary General of the OAS,
Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of Government,
Honourable Ministers of Foreign Affairs and members of the various Governments of the region Distinguished guests
I am very pleased to be with you today to speak on behalf of the Republic of Haiti, and transmit to you the solidarity greetings from President Michel Joseph Martelly. I want to congratulate the President of our Assembly for the excellence and dynamism with which he directs the work of the 42nd session. I take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of Bolivia for the welcome they gave me when I came here to Cochabamba. This suits me even more to heart than my father, Dr. Louis Lamothe, who was for a long time the Honorary Consul of Bolivia in Haiti, which has allowed to significantly strengthen the ties between our two countries in the sense of honor and in a spirit of great responsibility.
As soon as we speak of Bolivia we think first of all of Simon Bolivar and that the Haitians after the Independence in 1804, helped in his struggle for the emancipation and unity of Latin America. And it is this unity that we continue to defend vigorously, and that has guided the current Secretary General of the OAS in the excellent work done within the framework of the preparation of this General Assembly.
I can tell you that our objectives are the same: we seek a new impetus to improve the living conditions of people in the region. In Haiti, for example, the Government I have the honor to lead has made a strong commitment to give as soon as possible the expected results in the five E's or the following priority areas: Environment, Energy, Education, Rule of Law, and the Creation of Jobs.
We want to accomplish all of this with the help of the OAS partners and friendly countries. In this sense we will respect gender equity promoted by the OAS through various resolutions; this is why 40% of the Ministers of the current Haitian government are women. We are perhaps one of the few governments of this planet to achieve this performance, and we intend to continue this trend to achieve the objectives set by the United Nations in this field. Another important point of good governance remains our fight in favor of business diplomacy for sustainable development. Our fundamental ambition is to make Haiti a country open to direct investment, in strict compliance with national interests and the sovereignty of our nation. To achieve this objective we have begun to put in place the necessary arrangements to welcome investment from the countries of the OAS, at the legal level, and in terms of security and infrastructure.
Over the last 3 months Haiti has chaired the Permanent Council of OAS emphasizing these priorities. We discussed some points of interest, such as the issue of reform of the cadastre, the civil registry, justice and parliamentary elections that will be free and fair in Haiti under my Government. We also discussed all the efforts of Haiti to combat extreme poverty and defend human rights, starting with the right to health or food safety.
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As you know, the theme of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the General Assembly is "Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas". This theme is particularly close to my heart because it is a central concern of my government.
At the last Summit of the Heads of State and Government of America that took place in Cartagena, Colombia this theme has also attracted the attention of Heads of State and Governments, because according to recent statistics there are 59 million people; 19 million children who suffer from hunger in our hemisphere. We must recognize that this topic has never really occupied a strategic position in the past on the agenda of our organization. What is a great first and that requires that we adopt at the end of the 42nd Assembly of the OAS a declaration on ways to ensure security and food sovereignty in the Americas, while strengthening the IICA throughout the Americas.
The OAS Secretary General said a few days ago that he returned to our country "to develop and strengthen public policies designed to promote investment in agriculture, strengthening of agricultural markets, market integration of small producers and fair trade.
" These concerns are also mine and those of President Martelly, not only through the implementation of the Programme "Aba grangou", but also the creation of a Ministry of the Fight Against Extreme Poverty. In this sense we will work on two areas: production, and the environment.
Within two weeks will be held in Brazil, the Earth Summit in Rio+ 20. The question of the environment and a green economy will be the focus of discussions of this Summit, and it is not completely foreign to the theme of this Assembly, since similar themes concerning the future of our planet and of humanity in a sustainable environment will be discussed. In Haiti, our Government and the President of the Republic pays great attention to these new approaches.
This 42nd Assembly also allows me in my capacity as Prime Minister of Haiti to applaud the efforts of the OAS, not only for food security, but also in the field of tourism security, port and airport security, and in cyber security. I take this opportunity to publicly congratulate the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism for the work done to date, not only at the hemispheric level in general, but also in Haiti through the work of training of our executives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 42nd Assembly challenges us with many emergencies, including economic emergencies. The world continues to feel the effects of the great financial crisis, even though in the Caribbean, despite some gray areas, the financial and economic climateis are still stable. However, we are not immune from a possible economic and financial disaster. We should go beyond the Cochabamba Declaration on Food Sovereignty in the Americas to provide what we will do in a coordinated manner across all components of the inter-American system. We want to talk of CELAC, of UNASUR, of Alba, CARICOM, the Association of Caribbean States, of MERCOSUR; all these entities that constitute the wealth our Americas should coordinate among themselves, and with the OAS to strengthen the economy of the region.
In my capacity as Prime Minister of Haiti and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I believe in the virtue of action, from well-planned programs, to avoid surprises, and forge a new America, through a new OAS gathering in the three Americas with the thoughts of Toussaint Louverture, Alexandre Pétion, Simon Bolivar, George Washington, Jose Marti or of Sandino.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I can not conclude without publicly thanking all governments that support the Haitian government in its struggle for its integral reconstruction, sustainable development, with the Haitian people. We reiterate once again, our confidence in the work of the Organization of American States in Haiti. We also reaffirm once again, our commitment and that of the Haitian Government, to realize the objectives that we have set for ourselves since the adoption of the motto "Union is Strength." To this we add a new slogan, Haiti united is "open for business".
We invite you all to come to Haiti as during the time of Simon Bolivar; this time not to seek help for your independence, but to come to find fraternal solidarity that unites us forever, and that will strengthen the independence and sovereignty of all the American States through work, wealth creation, sustained investment, and the determination to support each other in order to finally promote this bright future that we all dream of for the Americas and all its people. Thank you"
(Haiti Libre) -
The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Laurent Lamothe spoke this Monday, June 4, 2012, at the 42nd Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held from June 3 to 5 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on the theme of "Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas".
From the outset, Laurent Lamothe made a reminder of the struggle of the Haitian and Bolivian peoples for the emancipation and unity of Latin America. "It is this unity that the two peoples continue to defend vigorously", affirmed the Prime Minister, who reiterated his commitment to give as soon as possible the expected results in the 5 "E's"; Environment, Energy, Education, Rule of Law, Creation of Jobs.
Laurent Lamothe also mentioned some points of common interests, as the issue of reform of the cadastre,the civil registry, justice and parliamentary elections that will be free and fair in Haiti under his Government. He also discussed all the efforts of Haiti to combat extreme poverty and defend human rights, starting with the right to health or food safety.
Speech of Laurent Lamothe:
"Mr. Secretary General of the OAS,
Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of Government,
Honourable Ministers of Foreign Affairs and members of the various Governments of the region Distinguished guests
I am very pleased to be with you today to speak on behalf of the Republic of Haiti, and transmit to you the solidarity greetings from President Michel Joseph Martelly. I want to congratulate the President of our Assembly for the excellence and dynamism with which he directs the work of the 42nd session. I take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of Bolivia for the welcome they gave me when I came here to Cochabamba. This suits me even more to heart than my father, Dr. Louis Lamothe, who was for a long time the Honorary Consul of Bolivia in Haiti, which has allowed to significantly strengthen the ties between our two countries in the sense of honor and in a spirit of great responsibility.
As soon as we speak of Bolivia we think first of all of Simon Bolivar and that the Haitians after the Independence in 1804, helped in his struggle for the emancipation and unity of Latin America. And it is this unity that we continue to defend vigorously, and that has guided the current Secretary General of the OAS in the excellent work done within the framework of the preparation of this General Assembly.
I can tell you that our objectives are the same: we seek a new impetus to improve the living conditions of people in the region. In Haiti, for example, the Government I have the honor to lead has made a strong commitment to give as soon as possible the expected results in the five E's or the following priority areas: Environment, Energy, Education, Rule of Law, and the Creation of Jobs.
We want to accomplish all of this with the help of the OAS partners and friendly countries. In this sense we will respect gender equity promoted by the OAS through various resolutions; this is why 40% of the Ministers of the current Haitian government are women. We are perhaps one of the few governments of this planet to achieve this performance, and we intend to continue this trend to achieve the objectives set by the United Nations in this field. Another important point of good governance remains our fight in favor of business diplomacy for sustainable development. Our fundamental ambition is to make Haiti a country open to direct investment, in strict compliance with national interests and the sovereignty of our nation. To achieve this objective we have begun to put in place the necessary arrangements to welcome investment from the countries of the OAS, at the legal level, and in terms of security and infrastructure.
Over the last 3 months Haiti has chaired the Permanent Council of OAS emphasizing these priorities. We discussed some points of interest, such as the issue of reform of the cadastre, the civil registry, justice and parliamentary elections that will be free and fair in Haiti under my Government. We also discussed all the efforts of Haiti to combat extreme poverty and defend human rights, starting with the right to health or food safety.
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As you know, the theme of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the General Assembly is "Food Security with Sovereignty in the Americas". This theme is particularly close to my heart because it is a central concern of my government.
At the last Summit of the Heads of State and Government of America that took place in Cartagena, Colombia this theme has also attracted the attention of Heads of State and Governments, because according to recent statistics there are 59 million people; 19 million children who suffer from hunger in our hemisphere. We must recognize that this topic has never really occupied a strategic position in the past on the agenda of our organization. What is a great first and that requires that we adopt at the end of the 42nd Assembly of the OAS a declaration on ways to ensure security and food sovereignty in the Americas, while strengthening the IICA throughout the Americas.
The OAS Secretary General said a few days ago that he returned to our country "to develop and strengthen public policies designed to promote investment in agriculture, strengthening of agricultural markets, market integration of small producers and fair trade.
" These concerns are also mine and those of President Martelly, not only through the implementation of the Programme "Aba grangou", but also the creation of a Ministry of the Fight Against Extreme Poverty. In this sense we will work on two areas: production, and the environment.
Within two weeks will be held in Brazil, the Earth Summit in Rio+ 20. The question of the environment and a green economy will be the focus of discussions of this Summit, and it is not completely foreign to the theme of this Assembly, since similar themes concerning the future of our planet and of humanity in a sustainable environment will be discussed. In Haiti, our Government and the President of the Republic pays great attention to these new approaches.
This 42nd Assembly also allows me in my capacity as Prime Minister of Haiti to applaud the efforts of the OAS, not only for food security, but also in the field of tourism security, port and airport security, and in cyber security. I take this opportunity to publicly congratulate the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism for the work done to date, not only at the hemispheric level in general, but also in Haiti through the work of training of our executives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 42nd Assembly challenges us with many emergencies, including economic emergencies. The world continues to feel the effects of the great financial crisis, even though in the Caribbean, despite some gray areas, the financial and economic climateis are still stable. However, we are not immune from a possible economic and financial disaster. We should go beyond the Cochabamba Declaration on Food Sovereignty in the Americas to provide what we will do in a coordinated manner across all components of the inter-American system. We want to talk of CELAC, of UNASUR, of Alba, CARICOM, the Association of Caribbean States, of MERCOSUR; all these entities that constitute the wealth our Americas should coordinate among themselves, and with the OAS to strengthen the economy of the region.
In my capacity as Prime Minister of Haiti and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I believe in the virtue of action, from well-planned programs, to avoid surprises, and forge a new America, through a new OAS gathering in the three Americas with the thoughts of Toussaint Louverture, Alexandre Pétion, Simon Bolivar, George Washington, Jose Marti or of Sandino.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I can not conclude without publicly thanking all governments that support the Haitian government in its struggle for its integral reconstruction, sustainable development, with the Haitian people. We reiterate once again, our confidence in the work of the Organization of American States in Haiti. We also reaffirm once again, our commitment and that of the Haitian Government, to realize the objectives that we have set for ourselves since the adoption of the motto "Union is Strength." To this we add a new slogan, Haiti united is "open for business".
We invite you all to come to Haiti as during the time of Simon Bolivar; this time not to seek help for your independence, but to come to find fraternal solidarity that unites us forever, and that will strengthen the independence and sovereignty of all the American States through work, wealth creation, sustained investment, and the determination to support each other in order to finally promote this bright future that we all dream of for the Americas and all its people. Thank you"
Sunday, June 3, 2012
ARTICLE - ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
(Haiti Libre) -
Concerning the role of the international community (IC) vis-a-vis Haiti, the Ambassador of France accredited to Haiti, Didier Le Bret provided some clarification.
"[...] The question is not to know whether you are going to please Washington, Paris, Ottawa or Brussels... The question is: are things moving in the general interest, in accordance with the commitments taken by those who are now invested with the supreme function [...] we are there (CI) in a position of a facilitator. We are here to ensure this in a country that is still massively supported by the International Community. That means that we implement through our cooperation programs, which are as effective as possible [...] The goal of our cooperation is not to be in Haiti for life, the objective of our cooperation ultimately, is to be able to pass the baton...
[...] I think things are moving in this country. Those who predicted the worst, they are mistaken. The political transition was carried out with difficulty, but nevertheless, you have succeeded. You now have a government with ministers who are at work, with a cap very clear, with major sectoral policies, and the 5E's of the Head of State. There is a clear intention that this country be governed by rules of law, so all this going in the right direction. After [...] what is essential is to consolidate the conditions for development; that is to say, safety, peace, harmonious political transitions, a governance that is as exemplary as possible [...]
I think that the realization of elections by the end of the year is realistic, and I think that if we want to preserve civil peace in Haiti, we need to hold elections within a reasonable time in order to avoid speculation that would tend to support the idea that we are in a regime which is not a democratic regime. President Martelly has said very clearly, the Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe also; they are not afraid of elections, they're preparing for them with international partners [...]
These are key elements in the base of a democracy [...] Haiti will not attract investment if it does not demonstrate that it wants to have a strong grounding in what is now democracy [...] we must continue,... and it is the responsibility of the international community to support this movement [...] We believe, that we must support the electoral process, and ensure that you have a complete Senate and mayors normally elected..."
(Haiti Libre) -
Concerning the role of the international community (IC) vis-a-vis Haiti, the Ambassador of France accredited to Haiti, Didier Le Bret provided some clarification.
"[...] The question is not to know whether you are going to please Washington, Paris, Ottawa or Brussels... The question is: are things moving in the general interest, in accordance with the commitments taken by those who are now invested with the supreme function [...] we are there (CI) in a position of a facilitator. We are here to ensure this in a country that is still massively supported by the International Community. That means that we implement through our cooperation programs, which are as effective as possible [...] The goal of our cooperation is not to be in Haiti for life, the objective of our cooperation ultimately, is to be able to pass the baton...
[...] I think things are moving in this country. Those who predicted the worst, they are mistaken. The political transition was carried out with difficulty, but nevertheless, you have succeeded. You now have a government with ministers who are at work, with a cap very clear, with major sectoral policies, and the 5E's of the Head of State. There is a clear intention that this country be governed by rules of law, so all this going in the right direction. After [...] what is essential is to consolidate the conditions for development; that is to say, safety, peace, harmonious political transitions, a governance that is as exemplary as possible [...]
I think that the realization of elections by the end of the year is realistic, and I think that if we want to preserve civil peace in Haiti, we need to hold elections within a reasonable time in order to avoid speculation that would tend to support the idea that we are in a regime which is not a democratic regime. President Martelly has said very clearly, the Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe also; they are not afraid of elections, they're preparing for them with international partners [...]
These are key elements in the base of a democracy [...] Haiti will not attract investment if it does not demonstrate that it wants to have a strong grounding in what is now democracy [...] we must continue,... and it is the responsibility of the international community to support this movement [...] We believe, that we must support the electoral process, and ensure that you have a complete Senate and mayors normally elected..."
Saturday, June 2, 2012
ARTICLE - SHARING OF MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCES
SHARING OF MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCES IN LONGUEUIL
(Haiti Libre) -
The Town of Longueuil received this week at the town hall, a dozen delegates from Haiti who came to discuss governance principles and the processes in the municipal administration of Longueuil. The delegates present at the meeting were from various municipal authorities in Haiti.
Elected officials and senior officials of the City of Longueuil have shared their experiences in municipal administration, and discussed several topics; such as the dynamics of functioning between administration and policy, the role of Director General, and taxation.
"It is a pleasure for our administration to be able to talk with Haitian officials about fundamental principles that guide the management of our city; such as ethics, integrity, the approach of services to citizens, and the importance of a tax and assessment process. We all came out stronger from this exchange, both on the cultural and human plan," declared Caroline St-Hilaire, the Mayor of Longueuil.
This meeting with the municipal authorities of Longueuil is part of the Program of Haiti-Canada Municpal Cooperation (PCM), put into place by the Union of Municpalities of Quebec (UMQ), the Canadian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), and the City of Montreal.
Recall that the PCM Haiti-Canada is intended to restore the institutional capacity and administrative base of the City of Port-au-Prince and of the municipalities of Gressier, Léogâne, Petit Goâve and Grand Goâve, which form the Palmes region. This program receives funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
(Haiti Libre) -
The Town of Longueuil received this week at the town hall, a dozen delegates from Haiti who came to discuss governance principles and the processes in the municipal administration of Longueuil. The delegates present at the meeting were from various municipal authorities in Haiti.
Elected officials and senior officials of the City of Longueuil have shared their experiences in municipal administration, and discussed several topics; such as the dynamics of functioning between administration and policy, the role of Director General, and taxation.
"It is a pleasure for our administration to be able to talk with Haitian officials about fundamental principles that guide the management of our city; such as ethics, integrity, the approach of services to citizens, and the importance of a tax and assessment process. We all came out stronger from this exchange, both on the cultural and human plan," declared Caroline St-Hilaire, the Mayor of Longueuil.
This meeting with the municipal authorities of Longueuil is part of the Program of Haiti-Canada Municpal Cooperation (PCM), put into place by the Union of Municpalities of Quebec (UMQ), the Canadian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), and the City of Montreal.
Recall that the PCM Haiti-Canada is intended to restore the institutional capacity and administrative base of the City of Port-au-Prince and of the municipalities of Gressier, Léogâne, Petit Goâve and Grand Goâve, which form the Palmes region. This program receives funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
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