History-making move gives Haiti more direct access to GFDRR and the World Bank, which are critical partners in the development of a comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Agenda

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) Consultative Group (CG) has invited Haiti to become a Developing Country member delegate of this prestigious organization, making Haiti the first nation in the history of GFDRR to be invited into membership for a second term.

Thierry Mayard-Paul, Haiti’s Chief of Staff and Minister of the Interior, Territorial Collectivities and National Defense, who led the Haitian delegation and served as its chief representative at this year’s GFDRR meeting, said, “this honor underscores the importance of the Martelly administration’s work in Disaster Reduction and Recovery Management (DRRM) throughout the country, in partnership with international organizations like the World Bank, the UNDP, USAID, SOUTHCOM and others.”

Mayard-Paul presented his government’s approach to Disaster Risk Management and shared Haiti’s proprietary, community development decentralization initiative, Katye Pam Poze (KPP), to a cadre of top-level experts from 38 nations.

Disaster risk reduction and management are intrinsically “embedded” within KPP, the cornerstone program for the Haitian government’s National Decentralization Agenda.  In this way, capacity is built at the community level across the country, under an innovative “bottom up” or grassroots approach, but in complete alignment with the national strategy.

Haiti’s innovative approach to community-based decentralization, as well as its commitment to institute Disaster Risk  and Recovery Management across all government entities, was well-received by GFDRR members and meeting participants.  Zoubida Allaoua, GFDRR’s Chair and the World Bank’s Director of Finance, Economics & Urban Department, encouraged the development of innovative initiatives such as Haiti’s KPP, stating, “We should not use yesterday’s solutions to confront today’s problems.  The GFDRR will work in partnership with the government of Haiti in its Disaster Risk Management efforts, so that they become a showcase project for other nations.”

As incoming GFDRR member, Haiti will have more direct access to the GFDRR and the World Bank, key partners in the development of a comprehensive DRRM program for Haiti.  Recently, the World Bank committed US$ 60 million to fund a four-year Reconstruction and Disaster & Risk Management Program that will support decision-making and capacity building, the construction of an emergency telecommunications system, as well as road infrastructure and safety.

The minister stressed that the Government of Haiti seeks to make risk reduction an essential part of its reconstruction and recovery efforts, while developing strategies and a policy framework for long term disaster risk reduction and management into the new national development plan.

Other counties welcomed as new GFDRR members during the spring sessions were Solomon Islands and Togo. Each country will occupy a chair for two years.  The three current developing country members, with one year remaining to serve, are Malawi, Bangladesh and Yemen.

“The GFDRR meetings were extremely helpful as they allowed us the opportunity to share –and learn– from other countries’ experience in this crucial area of disaster and risk reduction and management,” added Mayard-Paul.  “With our designation as Developing Country members, we are looking forward to even greater exposure to best practices, as well as opportunities for support and collaboration from the GFDRR’s membership.”

Haiti’s Cornerstone Decentralization Program, Katye Pam Poze, gains wide reception as innovative “bottom-up” approach to disaster reduction & management based on community integration and sustainable development.

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Thierry Mayard-Paul, Haiti’s Chief of Staff and Minister of the Interior, Territorial Collectivities and National Defense, led the Haitian delegation that shared Haiti’s disaster risk management and recovery experience with a cadre of top-level experts from approximately 38 nations, at the highly-regarded Consultative Group meeting of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). Haiti was the only Western Hemispheric country invited to attend the event as a Developing Country, for the period 2012- 2013.

Mayard-Paul described the Martelly Administration’s vision for emergency preparedness and response, stating: “the 2010 earthquake demonstrated that development will never be successful if we don’t build risk reduction at our core. That is why the Martelly administration is committed to making disaster risk reduction and management, a critical priority across the government.”

Coming into Office, President Martelly’s new Government boosted preparedness and response capacity by strengthening the Civil Protection Directorate, as well as sub-national efforts. This work continues and will remain important as Haiti heads into the hurricane season. The Haitian delegation provided specific examples, for instance, of how the government has integrated risk reduction as a centerpiece of its recovery efforts within the 16/6 project. This is a US$78-million project seeking to rehabilitate 16 neighborhoods to relocate residents of six large camps in the metropolitan area, impacting 30,000 people.

Mayard-Paul gave many examples of fruitful collaborative efforts between donors, NGOs, and federal and local governments. “However, they are independent programs that are not fully integrated under one single, comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction & Management strategy.” As a result, the government –through the Ministry of the Interior– is developing a policy framework for longer term disaster risk reduction and management that will be integrated into the new national development plan.

“Development progress and risk reduction will only be successful if they are tied to local development,” added Mayard-Paul. “That is why we recently launched Katye Pam Poze, the cornerstone program for the government’s National Decentralization Agenda.” Disaster risk reduction and management are intrinsically embedded within KPP. This way, capacity is built at the community level across the country, under an innovative “bottom up” or grassroots approach, but in complete alignment with the national strategy.

Mayard-Paul encouraged potential partners present at the meeting to help Haiti make a significant impact in disaster risk reduction and management. “We know we can’t do this alone. We need long-term development partners to support the government’s identified priorities,” said Mayard-Paul. “That’s why organizations like GFDRR and the World Bank (WB) are critical, and why this meeting is so important to Haiti.”

The Minister cited eight key areas of potential support from international partners:

• Building institutional capacity at all levels– for example, supporting Katye Pam Poze’s emergency risk reduction and response modules.
• Contributing to build infrastructure and processes — from basic physical work space to the creation of a single national emergency warning system.
• Supporting knowledge and innovation – by financing university research to identify new ways to tackle risk whilst channeling efforts of the young.
• Funding research and assessments –information gathering and sharing is one of Haiti’s major challenges.
• IT/online infrastructure, software and training so that databases and critical information can be shared.
• Helping build comprehensive disaster risk reduction programs in priority cities and departments since reducing risk across the whole country at the same speed is impossible.
• Build national capacity to assess, monitor and reduce risks. In particular, build on the progress made on seismic risk reduction while also strengthening cyclone/hydro capacity.
• Supporting communications and public awareness campaigns.

“The Government of Haiti is charting a new course on disaster reduction and management, one based on resilience, best practices and community integration ensuring sustainable development,” concluded Mayard-Paul.

The Haitian delegation also included Elizabeth Landers, Adjunct Chief of Staff, Ministry of the Interior; Jean-Elie Germain, Project Manager for disaster risk reduction, OXFAM GB Haiti; Yolene Surena, Coordinator, IDA Project “Disaster Risk Management and Reconstruction”; and the staff members of the GFDRR: Gaetano Vivo, Disaster Risk Management Focal Point for Haiti and Jean-Baptiste Migraine, Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank.

GFDRR, (www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/12CG) is Co-Chaired by the World Bank and the Government of the Netherlands. The CG meeting serves as a focal point for the United Nations’ international efforts to mitigate and minimize disasters such as the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti.

President Martelly drives KPP community-based decentralization through innovative asset-based participatory approach

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Hundreds of citizens in the Haitian cities of Jacmel, Leogane and Port de Paix have now participated in the Ministry of the Interior’s innovative Community Cafes, the first phase of a comprehensive community decentralization program called Katye Pam Poze (KPP).  

In addressing the enthusiastic gathering of more than 100 people at Leogane, President Martelly spoke about Haiti’s KPP as the cornerstone of his administration’s National Decentralization Agenda. “Since the beginning, I have held a vision for a decentralized Haiti, and now we have a program under way to turn that vision into reality, with citizens participating in decision-making that affects their communities. My government and I are fully committed to making our communities safer and more prosperous, one neighborhood at a time,” said the President.

“I am extremely pleased with the turn-out, people’s openness and willingness to make a difference in their communities and to personally commit to making it happen,” said Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, who leads and organizes the community cafes in his role as chief implementer of President Martelly’s community-based decentralization program. “This is exactly the purpose of Katye Pam Poze, to bring decision-making closer to the people while promoting good governance, boosting economic development and job creation, and delivering public services as efficiently as possible.” 

Katye Pam Poze was launched mid March 2012 in Jacmel and followed by Leogane and Port de Paix. Seven additional Cafes are slated to take place in order to cover all ten of the country’s departments.  The community Cafes are a key component of KPP’s participatory approach.  They consist of a dialogue session between central and local government entities, and citizens, designed to identify the most pressing local needs, and work together to find solutions.

Once local needs are assessed through KPP cafés, as well as extensive asset-based community development research on-the-ground, a detailed blueprint will be developed for each of the ten pilot communities, laying out priority subprograms that will guarantee access to basic social services and citizen safety.

President Martelly stressed that the goal of his administration is to enable safe and prosperous communities throughout Haiti, and called on all citizens to participate.   ”The implementation of Katye Pam Poze marks a turning point for our communities and our nation, with my administration inviting local authorities and local citizens to work hand-in-hand with us to push economic and social development at the local level.  As citizens, you now have a voice and are part of an historic event–the beginning of a new day for Haiti.”

The KPP Cafes so far have identified similar general challenges, including: safety and security, education, health services and the environment.

Mayard-Paul highlighted that the range of actions within KPP includes strengthening municipalities; natural disaster mitigation efforts; improving the delivery of health, housing and education services; recovering public spaces, developing local citizen initiatives and creating job opportunities in tandem with the private sector. “In the end, our goal is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities, right where they live,” he said. “Building the capacity of citizens to manage and maintain KPP programs and infrastructure at the local level is very important to our administration, as is developing culture and sports programs. This is an ambitious decentralization program.”

The Minister also pointed out that while Katye Pam Poze is modeled on successful experiences in other parts of the world, including Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and the United States, it introduces a new and innovative approach to community-based decentralization, created by Haitians for Haitians.

Learning and sharing with French counterparts the goal of Haitian visits, planned to begin in April

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Following a series of meetings between Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul and Jean Dussourd, Prefet Referent on Haiti to the French Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Dussourd will be organizing visits to France by Haitian delegations as a way to increase collaboration and information exchange.

“The proposal to bring Haitian delegates to France for learning and best practice sharing accelerates our strategic goals for evaluating what is working in other countries,” said Minister Mayard-Paul. “In this way, we can develop Haitian-branded programs based on the lessons from our counterparts as we work towards decentralization and job creation.”

Decentralization, a top priority for the Martelly administration, recently received a substantial boost based on customizing program models from other developing regions, including Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.  “We developed a proprietary Haitian model for community-based decentralization, Katye Pam Poze, after evaluating successful experiences in numerous countries where development has proven elusive,” said the minister.

Katye Pam Poze, which launched this month in the city of Jacmel, forms the cornerstone of President Martelly’s National Decentralization Agenda.  The program received enthusiastic support from all stakeholders, including local and central governments. 

According to Minister Mayard-Paul who developed the program and is responsible for its implementation throughout Haiti, the Martelly administration is totally committed to the program and to decentralization as an accelerator for sustainable development and job generation.  He adds that Katye Pam Poze has as its basis, the orderly transfer of government services and responsibilities to the local level and the promotion of strong community involvement. 

“Decentralization is one of the most promising ways to improve the delivery of government services and to foster development and job creation at the local level,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “It is also one of the most effective ways to insure that local governments as well as central government are held accountable to the citizens of Haiti.  Ultimately, our administration seeks to bring decision-making closer to Haitian citizens.”

Citing the five principles of decentralization, Mr. Mayard-Paul said he will work directly with community-based organizations, and that local elected authorities and the leadership of community-based organizations will be responsible for designing and planning the subprojects in an open and participatory manner.  “The transfer of resources to the community for the implementation of subprojects is an imperative,” he said. “Our expectation is that the community will be directly involved –and personally committed– in the implementation of each subproject, and they must also become involved in the monitoring and the periodic evaluation of subprojects.”

Both Minister Mayard-Paul and Prefet Dussourd are working to strengthen collaborative ties between Haiti and France through continued missions.  As expressed by Mr. Mayard-Paul and Mr. Dussourd, both countries can learn from each other.  “This is an opportunity to further strengthen municipalities,” said Mr. Dussourd. “Working together, we can glean valuable insights from shared, participatory experiences, delegate to delegate, that will benefit the Haitian people and communities throughout the country.”

Unveiling of Katye Pam Poze, Haiti’s proprietary, community-based decentralization initiative and civil preparedness programs discussed

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –  Focusing on Haiti’s natural disaster planning and creation of strong community-based civil defense programs, Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, accompanying President Michel Martelly, met with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Senior Director, Jessica Faieta to discuss progress and next steps.  The meeting, which took place March 21 in Port-au-Prince, comes within the framework of strengthening the existing, long-term partnership between the UNPD and the Government of Haiti.

Recognizing the role played by the UNDP within Haiti, including fortifying the Department of Civil Protection (DPC), Minister Mayard-Paul underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue to demonstrate that both the Haitian government and the UNDP are committed to completing what we begin.

“The UNDP has been instrumental in strengthening the DPC’s institutional capacity, improving infrastructure and access to equipment that will help Haiti reduce risks and be better prepared to manage and respond to emergency situations,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul.  He added that the UNDP and Haiti have been committed partners, saying “We will demonstrate how working together we accomplish remarkable things,” referring to the validation ceremony for Haiti’s precedent-setting “Seismic Risk Reduction Plan.”

The Minister and Ms. Faieta also discussed the unveiling of Haiti’s new community-based decentralization program, Katye Pam Poze, which took place the previous week in a meeting between Mr. Mayard-Paul and Margareta Wahlstrom,  the UN’s Assistant Secretary General for Disaster and Risk Reduction.  Katye Pam Poze (KPP) forms the cornerstone for President Martelly’s National Agenda for Decentralization.

“Katye Pam Poze is a program developed by Haitians for Haitians that seeks to bring decision-making closer to the people,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “Our goal is to promote good governance, boost economic development and achieve our goals for job creation.  We also aim to ensure the efficient delivery of public services and safety for our citizens.”

At the core of Katye Pam Poze is a plan to mobilize local governments for disaster risk prevention and emergency response which is a top priority for the Martelly administration.  Both Katye Pam Poze and the new risk reduction initiative are aligned with the UNDP view that in a national emergency, the immediate priority is to ensure people receive help as quickly as possible, ideally within the first few hours.  “This can only be accomplished through community-based programs where everyone knows their roles,” said the Minister.  To this end, the Minister of the Interior has several initiatives underway, including a widespread national first aid training program. “Our comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy includes building a network of emergency operations centers, warehouses, disaster and fire stations throughout Haiti in order to help make all parts of the country safer,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “Complementing and bolstering the efforts of the Haitian Red Cross, first aid training will be provided to schoolchildren, workers, professionals, representatives of the informal sector, and the population-at large.”

In January 2012, Haiti’s Civil Protection network received a generous gift of SUVs, trucks, boats, canoes, 11,000 solar radios, tents and other disaster-response equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense further bolstering Haiti’s institutional capacity with modern emergency equipment.

“Civil Protection is a top priority for my department,” said the Minister. “As a next phase we will be creating a commission to define the five most critical concerns for civil protection and with the collaboration of everyone at the local and central government level we will implement our new initiative.  We will keep you informed about the outcome of this commission, and we hope that UNDP will continue to be our partner as it has proven to be throughout all these years.”

Also present at the meeting were Nigel Fisher, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator of UN System, UNDP Resident Representative; UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark and Haiti’s Minister of Planning Herve Day.

Aligned with national decentralization agenda, President Martelly’s administration is proactively building capacity of municipalities and departments to better prepare communities for emergency response

 CAP HAITIEN, Haiti, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul and United Nation’s Development Program (UNDP) administrator, Helen Clark hosted a landmark validation ceremony in Cap-Haitien today, putting into action a precedent-setting “Seismic Risk Reduction Plan for Northern Haiti.”

The plan, a flagship project for UNDP and its national partners, is a joint venture between UNDP and Haiti’s National System for Disaster Risk Reduction, under the Ministry of the Interior.  According to the UNDP’s Clark, this is one of the first times that a developing country has taken advance measures to reduce the vulnerability of its people and economy to future earthquakes. “This project is a historical landmark and this is to the credit of the Haitian government, which decided to engage a proactive strategy of risk reduction in order to avoid a similar tragedy to that which struck Port-au-Prince and its region on January 12th, 2010,” she said.

In response, Minister Mayard-Paul remarked, “That the Haitian Government chose to take action, rather than wait for the next earthquake, storm or hurricane, as part of our national strategy for decentralization.  We are putting in place a very pro-active strategy for risk reduction to protect our people and our economy as a way of strengthening our communities throughout Haiti, in full alignment with our decentralization strategy.”

Because of its geographical location, Haiti is exposed to floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, landslides and earthquakes, with particular vulnerability in the northern regions, which sit atop two tectonic plates.  Although scientists have no way of telling when the next earthquake will hit, they agree that the level of threat in Northern Haiti is high. At the same time, Northern Haiti is poised to play a key role in the decentralization that is part of the post-January 12th, 2010 regional and economic rebuilding for the country. In particular, tourism represents a strategic development opportunity thanks to the amazing coastline and landscape, as well as to the rich cultural heritage found in this part of the country. Additionally, recent international investments in the Caracol-Fort Liberte economic development area enhance the region’s future as a manufacturing center poised to attract factories and tens of thousands new inhabitants.

Ms. Clark emphasized that in order to invest the hundreds of millions of dollars necessary to develop Northern Haiti into an attractive pole for economic activity; Haiti must first ensure the safety of that investment in the face of natural hazards. “The ‘Seismic Risk Reduction plan for Northern Haiti’ will help local and national authorities face this challenge,” she said.

Minister Mayard-Paul concurred saying, “Our country and our people are vulnerable. We will be looking to the seismic risk reduction program here in the north in order to learn lessons we can integrate into wider programs for the Government of Haiti and our partner organizations.  We are hoping that this program will become a model for reducing seismic risk in other parts of the country.”

Disaster and Risk Reduction, and building strong civil preparedness programs, are at the very heart of Haiti’s new community-based decentralization program, Katye Pam Poze, the cornerstone initiative of President Martelly’s National Agenda for Decentralization. Launched by Minister Mayard-Paul one week ago in Jacmel, Katye Pam Poze seeks to bring decision-making closer to the Haitian people. At the same time, it seeks to promote good governance; boost economic development and job creation, ensure the efficient delivery of public services and promote citizen safety.  Defined by Minister Mayard-Paul as a plan created “by Haitians, for Haitians”, Katye Pam Poze mobilizes local governments for disaster risk prevention and emergency response; a top priority for the Martelly administration.

“Civil Protection, which will oversee Natural Disaster prevention and mitigation, is within the scope of programs encompassed by Katye Pam Poze,” explained the Minister. “As our administration works towards decentralization, our efforts to empower and support local government and local development, must take into account efforts to reduce and manage disaster risk.”

Stressing that the Martelly administration plans to complement earthquake risk reduction with similar programs to mitigate risks related to cyclones and flooding, the Minister said, “We are proactively building capacity of our municipalities and departments for seismic-risk management so all Haiti can be better prepared to manage and respond to emergency situations. Programs such as this are close to my heart, as they involve the safety, welfare and lives of our People.”

Cross-sector participation shows strong support as new community-based decentralization program kicks off

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Haiti’s recently-launched community-based decentralization program, Katye Pam Poze (KPP), kicked off its community cafe series in Jacmel with nearly 100 local residents sharing their views on what their neighborhoods need most.

According to Minister of the Interior Thierry Mayard-Paul, who is spearheading and coordinating President Michel Martelly’s new program, “every community’s needs are different, so we will be visiting all ten pilot cities throughout Haiti learning their specific requirements through our cafe dialogues,” he said. “That way, we can ensure that we address the needs of each community, under an integral and manageable framework.”

The cafe dialogues are a key aspect of KPP’s participatory approach, which seeks to bring decision-making closer to the citizen level. Once local needs are assessed through cafes, as well as extensive asset-based community development research on-the-ground, a detailed blueprint will be developed for each of the ten pilot communities, laying out priority subprograms that will guarantee access to basic social services and citizen safety.

President Martelly’s Delegate, Pierre Michel Lafontant, stated during his opening remarks that President Martelly has committed the full support of his administration to KPP as a cornerstone of the Haitian government’s National Decentralization Agenda.  ”Katye Pam Poze will build a safer and more prosperous Haiti, one community at a time, while moving towards the consolidation of democratic governance,” said the delegate.  “It has been the President’s goal from the beginning of his decision to run for president, that Haitian citizens be more directly involved in planning, implementing, and managing programs and initiatives that impact their communities.   With the launch of Katye Pam Poze, Haitians now have a voice—and a responsibility—-within and alongside the central government.”

The inaugural cafe was attended by nearly 100 people representing Jacmel’s diverse resident base, including the mayor, Andris Ronald, whose enthusiastic participation showed full support for the program. Initiating the research models that will inform local Katye Pam Poze pilots, participants in Friday’s kick-off cafe in Jacmel were asked to identify the most pressing issues confronting their community.  Security was the overarching concern, followed by other issues ranging from water sanitation to education.  Almost everyone agreed that the Sud-Est department, within which Jacmel is located, requires a comprehensive healthcare facility.

“The enthusiastic participation of everyone here today fully validates our approach to community-based decentralization through the Katye Pam Poze program and the accompanying cafes,” said Mayard-Paul. “There was a lot of energy and expectation centered on having a voice in the decision-making table, and participants took their roles very seriously in working together to determine Jacmel’s priority needs.”

Citizen participation is critical for the success of KPP, and Minister Mayard-Paul instructed participants that within the context of decentralization, Haiti’s communities are owned by the citizens. “These are your communities,” he said. “And I applaud you for stepping up to be part of the change, in partnership with the government.”

The Minister highlighted that the range of actions within KPP includes strengthening natural disaster mitigation efforts; improving the delivery of health, housing and education services; recovering public spaces; developing local citizen initiatives and creating job opportunities in tandem with the private sector.  “In the end, our goal is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities, right where they live,” he said.  “Building the capacity of citizens to manage and maintain KPP programs and infrastructure at the local level is very important to our administration, as is developing culture and sports programs.  This is an ambitious decentralization program.”

Broadly defined, decentralization is the process by which power and other resources are transferred from the central government to lower governmental levels, such as regions, departments, municipalities, and communal sections.  This enables local entities to provide services to their communities and conduct local government tasks.  According to Mayard-Paul, advocates believe that decentralization is one of the most effective ways to ensure that local governments are held accountable to the citizens they represent. 

Mayard-Paul pointed out that while Katye Pam Poze is modeled on successful experiences in other parts of the world, including Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and the United States, it is Haitian-specific. “Katye Pam Poze introduces a new and innovative Haitian approach to community-based decentralization that addresses our conditions and reality in order to drive sustainable development and job creation at the local level,” concluded Mayard-Paul.

Katye Pam Pose brings decision-making, basic services and accountability closer to the people

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The government of President Michel Martelly, working through the Ministry of Interior and local communities, today launched Katye Pam Pose (KPP), an innovative, community-based decentralization program.   Katye Pam Pose (KPP), which is the cornerstone of the Haitian government’s National Decentralization Agenda, is focused on improving delivery of government services, as well as fostering development and job creation by promoting strong community involvement. 

The overarching objectives of Katye Pam Pose are to bring decision-making closer to the citizen level; promote good governance; boost economic development and job creation; ensure the efficient delivery of public services; promote citizen safety, and accommodate the interests of diverse local interest groups.

According to Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, who will spearhead and coordinate the program nationwide, “Working community by community, Katye Pam Pose will guarantee access to basic social services and citizen safety to our people, which will lead to job creation and development.”

Mayard-Paul explained that the launch of Katye Pam Pose will include a pilot program in 10 communities, representing all 10 departments.  “That way, we can ensure that we address the specific needs of each community, under an integral and manageable framework, allowing us to make adjustments to enhance the program as it progresses,”  he said.

The range of actions within KPP include strengthening natural disaster mitigation efforts; improving the delivery of health, housing and education services; recover public spaces, develop local citizen initiatives and creating job opportunities in tandem with the private sector.  “In the end, our goal is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities, right where they live,” he said.  “Building the capacity of citizens to manage and maintain KPP programs and infrastructure at the local level is very important to our administration, as is developing culture and sports programs.  This is an ambitious decentralization program.”

Broadly defined, decentralization is the process by which power and other resources are transferred from the central government to lower governmental levels, such as regions, departments, municipalities, and communal sections.  This enables local entities to provide services to their communities and conduct local government tasks.  According to Mayard-Paul, advocates believe that decentralization is one of the most effective ways to ensure that local governments are held accountable to the citizens they represent. 

Mayard-Paul pointed out that Katye Pam Pose is a community-based program for decentralization modeled on successful experiences in other parts of the world, including Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and the United States.  “However, it’s a community-based model, a new and innovative Haitian approach to decentralization,” he added.

“KPP pilot program in each of the 10 selected communities will be based on an in-depth participatory needs assessment diagnosis to ensure program implementation is prioritized by community need,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “Assessments will determine the level of impact, the feasibility of implementing each initiative and will make it possible for us to tailor pilot programs to each specific community based on the priorities identified.”

The Ministry of the Interior is also identifying and exploring national and international partnerships, that could accelerate deployment of KPP.

“The government of Haiti is committed to the success of Katye Pam Pose,” said Minister Mayard-Paul. “In implementing the program, I am committed to carrying out the vision of President Martelly and his administration, driving sustainable development and job creation at the local level.” 

Initiative is part of the Ministry of the Interior’s community-based decentralization strategy, which seeks to build a safety, infrastructure and institutional capacity network across Haiti.

FORT-LIBERTE, Haiti, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Haiti’s comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy advanced significantly with today’s groundbreaking ceremony for a new emergency operations center, disaster relief warehouse, and fire station in Fort-Liberte.  As the first of 10 such emergency operations centers and disaster relief warehouses, eight community clusters and 14 fire stations to be constructed throughout Haiti, the Fort-Liberte facility marks the beginning of the next phase of construction under the auspices of the U.S. Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program in partnership with the Government of Haiti.

Presiding over the ground-breaking, Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul remarked that functional emergency operations centers and disaster relief warehouses “are not only critical in saving lives and minimizing damage during disasters; they also enhance institutional capacity throughout Haiti so we can increase safety in all parts of the country.”

Daniel Foote, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, representing the U.S. Southern Command, noted that Haiti’s civil preparedness projects have entered construction phase and are one step closer to helping the Government of Haiti provide vital services to communities in the Nord-Est Department. “This Emergency Operations Center will allow local emergency response personnel to collect and analyze reported information, make decisions, and manage Haiti’s collective response to emergencies or natural disasters.”

He added that by providing additional fire-fighting and emergency service capabilities to the Fort Liberte area, the fire station facility will play a significant role in the event of a larger-scale emergency within Haiti.

Minister Mayard-Paul concluded “The new facilities will also enable us, through the Civil Protection Agency (DCP), to improve the quality of life of our communities, providing vital safety services.  We could not do this without the unwavering support of our friends in the United States who, through Southern Command, the embassy and USAID, along with the United Nations Development Program, World Food and others in the international community, help us turn necessities into plans, and plans into reality.”

The new facilities are expected to be used as soon as available, with plans to hold community first aid trainings as part of the DPC’s recently-launched annual campaign, “Civil Protection is Everyone’s Responsibility,” already under way.

“At the Ministry of  the Interior, we are following through on our commitment to identify the most pressing needs of the Haitian people, and turn those needs into plans that materialize into actual infrastructure, tools and programs that will benefit  communities across the country,” said Mayard-Paul. “That is the essence of our community-based decentralization program.”

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul said Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, will accelerate the implementation of the Seismic Risk Plan (SRP) in Northern Haiti, which seeks to improve the way that this region prepares for and reduces risks of earthquakes.  Haiti’s northeastern region is one the country’s key economic areas, in terms of manufacturing, tourism and agribusiness. 

“We are committed to reducing vulnerability to natural disasters across the country and this program can be a pilot for the rest of the regions,” said Mayard-Paul. “We are grateful to the UNDP for its enduring commitment to our Civil Protection Agency (DPC) and to technology and knowledge-transfer, which will strengthen our own institutional capacity for the long term.”

“The Northern Seismic Reduction Plan focuses on reducing vulnerability to earthquake risk in the three Departments. Disaster preparedness efforts are an important part of this work and our objectives include helping the Departments and their populations to be better able to respond when the next earthquake hits,” explains Fenella Frost, head of UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction Unit. “We have set up a strong program team, based in the three departmental capitals of the North in close partnership with local government. Working with international expert groups, including the French Bureau of Mines and Geology, will also ensure that the ‘Grand Nord’ benefits and learns from the highest level technical expertise possible.”

The program, which is funded by the Haiti Reconstruction Fund, will be implemented hand-in-hand with regional delegates. This initiative encompasses four distinct phases:  evaluating the region’s natural risks, putting a work plan together to reduce these risks, building institutional capacity through training, as well as establishing applicable public policies.

Mayard-Paul made the announcement during the commemoration of international World Day of Civil Protection, where he also launched the DPC’s annual program “Civil protection is everyone’s responsibility.” This initiative will conduct a widespread national first aid training program, complementing and bolstering the commendable efforts of the Haitian Red Cross, “which has been doing this for decades,” added Mayard-Paul.

First aid training will be provided to schoolchildren, workers, professionals, representatives of the informal sector, and the population-at large. 

At the event, Mayard-Paul encouraged “all those involved in civil protection to incorporate this emergency response first-aid training, into their ongoing curricula, and the general population to take advantage of it.”

Capacity building, best-practice sharing and job creating opportunities are addressed with CARICOM leaders during two-day mission to Haiti

 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – In meeting with the President of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr. Desire Delano Bouterse and the Bureau of Heads of Government during CARICOM’s two-day mission to Haiti, Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul stressed that Haiti is charting a new course for sustainable economic development. ”We are focusing our efforts on investment and job creation, particularly in Haiti’s heartland,” he said, articulating the Martelly administration’s new vision for Haiti. ”We understand that the key to driving sustainable development in Haiti is to map it throughout our entire nation and then drive it through local initiatives and decentralized cooperation.”

CARICOM leaders are in Haiti to forge stronger ties and closer cooperation between the 14 member states while exploring ways to strengthen Haiti’s participation in the organization.  Under discussion is the adoption of French as an official and working language for the organization. 

After thanking CARICOM members for their ongoing support of Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, Mayard-Paul emphasized that his nation is progressing in its recovery efforts, saying, “President Martelly’s new vision for Haiti is to build a socially just, economically free, and politically independent nation that does not end with reconstruction but rather, begins with renovation. This is aligned with the administration’s vision for decentralization and job creation through investment.”

Stressing the fact that Haiti offers an energetic and willing workforce, Mayard-Paul said, “It is clear that what Haitians want and need is jobs that will restore their dignity. We are therefore looking forward to working in close collaboration with our CARICOM neighbors to promote opportunities that reflect our communities’ most pressing priorities – jobs. We also seek to share those best practices that are yielding results for other member nations.”

The Minister pointed to collaboration in Civil Protection activities, such as disaster preparedness and relief. ”All of our nations are in geographic locations that make us vulnerable to the variances of nature,” he said. ”Therefore, we welcome best-practice sharing focused on institutional capacity building for preparedness and response, and equipment that will allow us to react more quickly and effectively.”

In encouraging investments from CARICOM nations, the Minister highlighted the myriad of investment opportunities waiting in Haiti’s heartland, especially in social infrastructure initiatives that enable communities to generate jobs and sustainable development.  “With so many great opportunities in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development and other sectors, we would be looking to CARICOM to help steer investments and contributions in these areas,” he said. “Additionally, as part of CSME [Single Market Economy of the Caribbean], we should be looking at standards that will facilitate the export of Haitian products to our Caribbean neighbors.”

The Haitian minister asked for closer collaboration on cultural exchange activities and cited the possibility of establishing a Caribbean Youth Parliament or Organization that seeks to build lasting relationships among the future leaders of the Caribbean. ”Caribbean universities could also embark on region-wide research related to the environment, the economy and social integration. The idea is that future leaders have a common understanding and culture that will facilitate a common market,” he said.

Overall, the Ministry of the Interior identified 40 key projects pertaining to meeting the needs of Haiti’s population outside the capital of Port-au-Prince, telling CARICOM representatives, ”We would welcome the opportunity to present and discuss them with you.  Our brother nations of CARICOM have been of great support to us since the earthquake and we are grateful.”

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Haiti’s Minister of the Interior Thierry Mayard-Paul accompanied by Prime Minister Garry Conille at a meeting with Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General for the Organization of American States, discussed potential cooperation in the areas of civil registry, security and disaster relief.

Topics addressed included a potential contribution from the OAS to strengthen security and disaster relief capacity building, as well as  preparedness.  “We had a very productive meeting and are encouraged by the OAS’ intent to support and contribute to the reinforcement of our institutional capacity, particularly in areas that the Ministry has outlined in its strategic action plan,” said Minister Mayard-Paul.  “Our goal is to strengthen our institutional capabilities across the country, as a key element within our decentralization strategy.”

The delegations agreed to meet again in February to discuss specifics.

The meeting was also attended by Francois Bolduc, OAS Representative in Haiti, Shelly Dass, Counselor to Ambassador Ramdin, General Guy Thibault, IACD, Lieutenant Dennis Lepes, IACD and Catherine Pognat, OAS’ Senior Officer.

                         Two-city tour showcases strong potential for job creation in tourism and design sectors

 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Donna Karan accompanied Haitian Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, as he visited the cities of Jeremiah and Jacmel during his “listening campaign.”

The visits, a continuation of the Minister’s tour of Haiti’s heartland, are aimed at advancing the government’s goals for building a sustainable economy through investments that support decentralization and drive job creation across all sectors, and throughout all the communities of Haiti.

Minister Mayard Paul and Ms. Karan met with Jacmel’s Tourism Minister Ms. Stephanie B. Villedrouin and visited several hotels and tourist sites damaged by the January 2010 earthquake, including the Hotel Florita, the Jacmelienne Hotel and other severely damaged structures along the coast of the Southeast.

According to the Minister, these structures hold investment opportunities for the region. “Prior to the earthquake, Jacmel was one of Haiti’s wealthiest cities, with considerable tourist assets,” said Mayard-Paul. “With its favorable location, it holds great potential for development and job creation for this region.”

In visiting the city of Jeremiah, Mayard-Paul solicited the needs of residents, and vowed to deliver on their requests for jobs through the ongoing efforts of the Martelly government to make Haiti a country favorable to business for national and international investors. To that end, the Minister of the Interior escorted Ms. Karan to an exhibition of local art and handicrafts on Jeremiah’s city square. In viewing the work of Haitian painters, sculptors and craft persons, Ms. Karan reiterated her passion for Haiti as a nation where “each person is creative” and promised to assist Haitian artisans in promoting their works. “Creativity can be manifested into jobs,” Ms. Karan said, an ardent supporter of Haiti through her company Urban Zen. “The craftwork of Haiti is a model for job creation and education in Haiti. The best investment in Haiti is in her people. Their desire to work says much about their spirit, soul and pride.”

Mayard-Paul also visited Jeremiah’s police station, addressing requests for the redevelopment of the premises, and reassuring authorities that the government is working towards long-term, sustainable solutions. “President Martelly and his administration are implementing every measure to achieve concrete and positive changes,” said Mayard-Paul. “Collaboration and cooperation aimed at attracting local and international investment projects will help us achieve our vision for creating sustainable development for Haiti.”

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Haiti’s Civil Protection network received a substantial boost with the presentation of SUVs, trucks, boats, canoes, 11,000 solar radios, tents and other disaster-response equipment presented as gifts to the Government of Haiti by the U.S. Department of Defense. 

In a ceremony held today at the Directorate of Civil Protection in Haiti (DPC) in Port Au Prince, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth Merten, signed over the equipment to Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Defense and the Collectivities Thierry Mayard-Paul, in support of Haiti’s Civil Protection network and ongoing disaster preparedness.

Lt. General Douglas M. Frazer, Commander of the SOUTHCOM, representing the U.S. DOD, together with U.S. Army Commander John Reed, pointed out that the earthquake not only impacted and changed the lives of the people of Haiti but also every member of the U.S. armed forces who came to give relief.

“Courage, resilience and character are examples of strength the people of Haiti exemplified to the armed forces teams,” said Lt. General Fraser. “It is in all our interests—the government of Haiti’s, SOUTHCOM’s and the international community’s—-to continue supporting Haiti’s capacity to respond to disasters. This equipment, which further enhances the capability of Haiti’s Department of Civil Protection (DCP) for disaster response, is tangible proof of the strong relationship between the government of Haiti and the U.S. The continuing commitment of the U.S. to support the government of Haiti, is unwavering.”

The timing of this event coincides with the second anniversary of the January 12, 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of the nation’s infrastructure.  According to Mayard-Paul, the equipment provided by the U.S. will help reinforce his Ministry’s comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy,  which includes building a network of emergency operations centers, warehouses, disaster and fire stations throughout Haiti in order to help make all parts of the country safer.

“Haiti is in a geographic location that is vulnerable to the variances of nature, including hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes,” said Mayard-Paul. “Our efforts to put this country back on course and to achieve our goals for sustainable economic development are also susceptible to these natural disasters.  Therefore, the valuable contributions of our U.S. friends will help substantially in strengthening our disaster mitigation efforts while we continue to serve our individual communities through job creation and economic growth.”

During the event, Mayard-Paul recognized the ongoing support that the U.S. Southern Command has shown Haiti, particularly during the aftermath of the earthquake.  “SOUTHCOMM was pivotal during that time of national tragedy, particularly because it played various roles, from disaster relief to wide-scale humanitarian efforts,” he said.  “By your example, you have shown us how we can move forward by establishing a new and democratic armed force.”

30,000 square foot (2787 m2) facility another step in providing much-needed materials for country’s reconstruction

 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ — MSC PLUS, SA, the first full-service home improvement and construction supply store of its kind in Haiti, has opened a 30,000 square foot facility stocked with more than 10,000 items.

 Located on Port-au-Prince’s Boulevard du 15 Octobre, less than a kilometer from the new American Embassy, MSC Plus is stocked with a broad range of construction and home improvement supplies to assist with Haiti’s vast reconstruction needs. 

 ”The country basically needs everything related to construction and home supplies,” said Chris Handal, who along with his three brothers, Michel, Stanley, and Randy, developed and run MSC TRADING SA.  “So we developed this concept of a one-stop shop with everything from the smallest screw, to appliances, to flooring, to finishing supplies, and much more.”

 The Handal family businesses, founded by Michel and Nicole Handal, have been serving the Haitian community since the mid-1960’s. 

 ”Absolutely no one was immune from this catastrophe,” continues Chris Handal.  “We lost close friends, we lost property, but we did not lose our desire to see a brighter future for Haiti.  We are determined to capitalize on the momentum that was realized during 2009, and the hope it brought to all of our people.”

 ”The importance of enterprises such as MSC PLUS to Haiti’s rebuilding efforts cannot be overstated,” said Youri Mevs, president of the Haitian Economic Development Foundation (HEDF), and managing principal of Port-au-Prince based WIN Group.  “For the most part, companies looking to rebuild have to procure construction materials and supplies from neighboring countries, which is expensive and time-consuming. MSC PLUS will stock many of the materials needed to accelerate the repair and rebuilding process of homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.  We applaud their efforts and are honored that they are an integral part of our Foundation.”

 The Haitian Economic Development Foundation was designed to foster economic growth throughout Haiti. The apolitical Foundation is comprised of some of the nation’s most influential enterprises and individuals, with the singular goal of attracting and fostering business in Haiti.

 ”We have taken our government’s message that ‘Haiti is open for business’ to heart,” concludes Handal.  ”The needs are clearly great, and it is of paramount importance that we all do what needs to be done to reignite our economy, create jobs, and help rebuild the country.”

PADF-OAS-HUFH urge continued financial support

 WASHINGTON, July 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — During the six months since the Western Hemisphere’s worst natural disaster, the Pan American Development Foundation and its partners assisted more than 1.3 million Haitians, as well as strengthened vital community organizations and coordinated with the government to ensure long-term success of on-the-ground recovery efforts. (www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org)

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 ”We are proud of our achievements but we are reminded that more than a million Haitians are still homeless and urgently need help,” says Jimmy Jean-Louis, the actor and spokesperson for PADF’s recovery efforts in Haiti. “Please visit www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org to learn what we have been doing to improve their lives.”

 PADF and its partners Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) and the Organization of American States (OAS) immediately responded to the survivors’ needs by providing food, water, shelter, medicine and other supplies. Thanks to individual, corporate and multilateral cash and in-kind donations, they distributed more than 200 tons of supplies worth over $3 million since the Jan. 12 earthquake.

 In addition to relief supplies, PADF employed thousands of Haitians to clear rubble from streets and alleys, clean drainage canals and remove other debris choking neighborhoods.

 To learn more about specific relief efforts, please visit www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org for stories and videos.

 ”We are focusing our efforts on implementing a strategic recovery plan, which is one of PADF’s specialties,” says John Sanbrailo, PADF’s Executive Director. “This means moving people out of camps into safe homes, creating sustainable employment and ensuring that Haitians play a major role in the rebuilding of their country.”

 “Tagging” & repairing homes

PADF is helping Haitians to return home by certifying that their houses are safe. It has trained 100 Haitian structural engineers to evaluate homes, schools and other buildings to determine how safe they are. Since May, the engineers have “tagged” 35,000 buildings in three categories: A “green” tag means a structure is perfectly safe; a “yellow” tag indicates it is useable but requires some repair; and a “red” tag states the building must be repaired or demolished before it can be used.

 By the end of July, the engineers will tag 50,000 buildings in Port-au-Prince, which will benefit more than 125,000 Haitians. The six-month program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

 ”Moving Haitians out of camps and overcrowded dwellings into safe homes is one of our highest priorities, particularly since we are in the hurricane season,” says Sanbrailo. “Haitians are understandable afraid to return to buildings that may collapse. These inspections will give them the certainty they need.”

 Repairing the yellow-tagged buildings is a major challenge for Haiti, particularly since both homeowners and the people they hire are probably unaware of building standards in an earthquake zone.

 Working closely with Haiti’s Public Works Department and under the supervision of U.S. structural engineer and post-earthquake expert Kit Miyamoto, PADF’s tagging project includes hands-on training of construction workers and architects prior to working on the yellow- and red-tagged homes. In addition to brochures and manuals, four model homes have been set up to demonstrate the common repairs they will undertake.

 ”This puts into action the ‘build-better’ concept that we all desire,” says Sanbrailo.

 PADF’s project has a small amount of money that will be used to repair a limited number of homes.

 ”We appreciate USAID’s foresight and generous support,” says Sanbrailo. “Only with its support could PADF undertake this massive and much-needed project.”

 However, Sanbrailo notes that this funding needs to be supplemented by donations from individuals and companies.

 To learn more about earthquake-damaged buildings in Haiti and how PADF is tagging them, please visit www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org to see a video with Kit Miyamoto.

 Protecting the most vulnerable

PADF’s successful, three-year-old Protecting Human Rights (PHR) program has expanded its scope to focus on the needs of the most-vulnerable Haitians, particularly those in the camps.

 PADF brought together its grassroots partners and provided them with training and additional resources to meet the post-earthquake challenges. Together, they are providing psychological support, medical care, safe housing and legal aid to the victims of violence and exploitation. It is funded by USAID.

 Trafficking of women and children, which has been a serious problem in Haiti, was exacerbated after the earthquake. PADF has expanded its anti-trafficking program to cover more communities, including rural areas and the border.

 One Haitian NGO in Petit-Goave praised PADF for its anti-trafficking work and the need to expand the program.

 ”Following the January 12th quake, several families gave their children to the ‘highest bidder,’ fearing the worst for their sons and daughters,” said Jocelyn Jean, the secretary general of ASIDEP, on July 2. “However, in the rural areas where [PADF] trained the communities on [anti-trafficking in persons], the children are still living with their families.”

 To learn more about PADF’s PHR program, please visit www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org for stories and videos.

 Communities deciding their future

Involving Haitians – especially the poorest – in the post-earthquake economic redevelopment process is a key element in PADF’s reconstruction strategy.

 One of PADF’s largest and most-successful programs teaches communities to prioritize, selected and monitor projects that directly affect their quality of life. Called Community Driven Development, it provides grants to start the selected projects.

 Today, PADF is working with more than 360 community-based organizations in 14 Haitian districts — all located in some of the poorest areas — that have identified or are operating in excess of 700 sustainable projects. Now in its third year, PADF implements the program on behalf of the Haitian government. It is funded by the World Bank.

 How-to help

Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, who is originally from Haiti, returned to the island on July 9 to survey the situation and encourage continued donations from individuals and companies to support the rebuilding process.

 ”The suffering of my fellow countrymen is no longer front-page news, but it is still very much a reality,” he says. “It’s unimaginable that Haitians have to live under tarps, bed sheets and even pieces of cardboard. With your help, they can have a dignified life in a safe home.”

 Individual and corporate donations to PADF-OAS-HUFH’s Haiti recovery efforts are encouraged by visiting www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org.

 In the United States, people may call (877) 572-4484 to donate with a Visa or MasterCard. They may also text HEAL to 50555 to donate $5.

 About HUFH

Hollywood Unites for Haiti is a non-profit charitable aid organization based in Los Angeles that that is lead by Jimmy Jean-Louis. www.hufh.org. 

Jimmy Jean-Louis, who plays the “Haitian” on NBC’s hit series “Heroes,” has returned to Haiti several times since the powerful quake. Immediately after Jan. 12, he spent a week in Haiti distributing relief supplies and assisting families. Jimmy returned at the two-month anniversary to continue his work.

 About the OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization and today is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. www.oas.org

 About PADF

PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, more than 5.6 million people in 18 countries benefited from PADF’s programs.

PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights. It works closely with all stakeholders to create sustainable solutions.

 Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. www.padf.org

Donations in the United States: (877) 572-4484

Text HEAL to 50555

www.ImUnitedforHaiti.org

Access to financial services by mobile phone can dramatically improve the lives of Haitians as country rebuilds from devastating earthquake

 SEATTLE and WASHINGTON, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced a $10 million incentive fund to jumpstart financial services by mobile phone in Haiti and expedite the delivery of cash assistance to victims of the country’s devastating earthquake by humanitarian agencies. This initiative lays the foundation for advanced banking services that could help millions of Haitians lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

Enabling Haitians to send, receive, and store money using their mobile phones has the potential to dramatically improve their lives and leapfrog more conventional banking models to safer, more affordable alternatives. Often called “mobile money,” these services reduce the risks and costs of financial transactions, help increase savings, and generate employment. They also help connect people to difficult-to-access vital services like banking, insurance, and utilities.

“Out of the ruins of Haiti’s tragic earthquake, there is an unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of millions of Haitians and unlock the country’s economic potential through mobile money,” said Mark Suzman, acting president of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Making financial services widely available to the poorest families in the developing world can help break the cycle of poverty by giving them a safe place to save, guard against risks, build assets, and provide opportunities for the next generation.”

 ”This partnership provides a unique opportunity to put much-needed cash in the hands of Haitians as they continue to advance on the long road to recovery,” said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah. “Before the earthquake, fewer than 10 percent of Haitians had ever used a commercial bank. A mobile money system can restore and remake banking in Haiti and serve as an engine of inclusive growth.”

 Shah noted that in other countries’ experience with mobile banking, users start keeping money on hand in their mobile “wallets” for emergencies, setting up a pattern of savings that leads to other benefits. “Encouraging savings and increasing access to credit through these mobile services will help Haitian families improve their financial stability and look toward a better future,” said Shah.

 The fund will offer cash awards to companies that initiate mobile financial services in Haiti. The first company to launch a mobile money service that meets certain criteria in the next six months will receive $2.5 million. The second operator to launch and reach these benchmarks within 12 months will receive $1.5 million. Another $6 million will be awarded as the first 5 million transactions take place, divided accordingly between those operators that contributed to the total number of transactions.

 The foundation and USAID share a goal of increasing mobile money services for the poor and will work together to oversee the incentive fund. The foundation will provide $10 million in awards plus additional funds for related activities. USAID will offer technical and management assistance and other funding totaling approximately $5 million through one of its projects, Haiti Integrated Finance for Value Chains and Enterprise (HIFIVE), already underway in Haiti to improve access to financial services for the underserved.

 In the short term, mobile money services have the potential to accelerate Haiti’s recovery. The destruction of more than one-third of the country’s bank branches, ATMs, and money transfer stations in the earthquake has meant that cash shortages for Haitians have been severe. Mobile money services will help families and friends, humanitarian agencies, charities and donors get billions of aid money and remittances into the hands of Haitians.

 Much of the short-term relief will be distributed through cash-for-work programs such as those run in Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti by USAID. These programs provide Haitians with an opportunity to earn a livelihood while providing critical services. Workers remove rubble from key thoroughfares that pave the way for displaced individuals to return to their homes. They also execute rain and hurricane season mitigation measures to protect those displaced by the earthquake from life-threatening floods, landslides and severe storms. This program puts money in the pockets of Haitians and encourages commerce to resume. United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations are now making these payments by cash but are eager to switch to speedier and more cost-effective mobile money payments.

 In the long term, mobile money could help millions of Haitians improve their lives through easy access to savings accounts and other financial services. One example of this is in Kenya, where mobile money is already having a dramatic impact. Just three years after its launch, Kenya’s M-PESA mobile money service now has more than 9 million users (40 percent of all adult Kenyans), who pay for everything from taxi fares to school fees via mobile phone. The transactions are much safer than carrying cash, and rural households using M-PESA saw their incomes increase by 5 to 30 percent, according to early results of a recent study by the University of Edinburgh. Just last month, M-PESA customers were given the option to link their mobile phones to bank accounts, further increasing their opportunity to overcome poverty.

 More than 90 percent of the world’s poor don’t have access to safe, affordable savings accounts and resort to risky, expensive, and inefficient ways to save because of the high costs of traditional banking services. The costs of physical bank buildings with dedicated bank tellers are significant, especially when serving poor clients with small deposits.

 Since 2006, the foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor initiative has committed nearly $500 million to explore ways to increase access to financial services. A National Bureau of Economic Research report suggests that poor households with access to savings accounts are more likely to invest in education, increase productivity and income, and reduce vulnerability to illness and other unexpected events. The foundation works with a wide range of public and private partners to harness technologies and innovation to bring basic financial tools – particularly savings accounts – to the doorsteps of the poor in the developing world.

 Separately, the foundation has awarded $2 million to help with relief efforts in Haiti, including shelter, food, water, sanitation, health, and other needs.

 The day after Haiti’s catastrophic January 12 earthquake, President Obama asked USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah to lead a “swift, coordinated, and aggressive” response. In the days and weeks that followed, USAID leveraged the talents and resources throughout the federal government in a synchronized effort to support the efforts of the government of Haiti, the United Nations, and the international community. As part of this effort, USAID supported U.S. search and rescue teams that pulled 132 people from the rubble, the largest-ever urban food distribution through the World Food Program for more than 3.5 million people, and the vaccination of more than 1 million people.

 Today, this work continues in myriad projects, including USAID cash-for-work programs that employ approximately 24,000 people every day, ongoing efforts to construct shelter and mitigate the effects of the rain and hurricane season, and the US government’s significant support of the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission and the multi-donor trust fund.

 Editor’s Note

 For information about the incentive fund criteria, contact info@hifive.org.ht.

 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people — especially those with the fewest resources — have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Learn more at www.gatesfoundation.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 U.S. Agency for International Development

Through the U.S. Agency for International Development, the American people have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

For more information about USAID’s programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/.

Joins Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz as USAID Operations Transition from Emergency Response to Long-Term Reconstruction

 WASHINGTON, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Susan Reichle, USAID’s Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, visited Haiti Wednesday through Friday this week to meet with key stakeholders to discuss the U.S. Government’s ongoing transition from emergency response to reconstruction, continued deployment of mitigation efforts in advance of the rainy season, and plans for transitional shelter construction in the next few months. 

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 ”We are as committed to delivering the ’swift, coordinated, and aggressive’ response that President Obama ordered today as we were in the initial days after the earthquake,” Reichle said.  “The conditions have changed and we’ve begun to see results—but we’ve got a long way to go.  With hurricane season right around the corner, we’re heavily focused on executing mitigation measures to help those in danger, helping to restart the economy through cash-for-work programs that clear clogged roads and canals of rubble, and carefully monitoring those at risk to stem major heath problems before they turn into outbreaks.”

 ”We’ve also prepositioned relief supplies, including food, water, and plastic sheeting in our warehouse in Miami so that in case another disaster looks likely to strike, we can quickly get them on the ground and out to those in need.”

 As part of the visit, Reichle met with Major Simeon G. Trombitas, commander of US Army South; conferred with local NGO implementing partners; and visited a cash-for-work site in Delmas.  Together with Eric Schwartz, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, she discussed mitigation efforts related to the upcoming rainy season, maximizing coordination amongst fellow donors and the international community, and USAID’s long-term reconstruction efforts with Nigel Fisher, the Deputy Special Representative, Ad Interim, for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).  Reichle and Schwartz also met with Haitian government officials and leaders of the UN Human Rights Commission, UNICEF, and civil society group officials.  They visited the Petionville Golf Club and Ancien Aeroport internally-displaced-people (IDP) camps. 

 During her visit, Reichle spent a considerable amount of time with USAID staff and others from the US Government who are working to support the Government of Haiti’s reconstruction strategy. The US Government has already committed more than $1 billion towards Haiti relief and pledged another $1.15 billion at the donors’ conference held last month.  Of this funding, USAID contributions total more than $500 million.

 For more information about USAID’s programs around the world, please visit: www.usaid.gov.

 The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The devastating earthquake in Haiti has shattered millions of lives, but the relief efforts and outpouring of support by organizations and individuals worldwide offer hope. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been working diligently since the disaster to provide aid to the people of Haiti through its humanitarian aid program. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of relief supplies have arrived already, and more are being shipped.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in the world, with over 13 million members world-wide. As committed Christians with strong traditional values, the Church actively participates in humanitarian efforts, from small-scale local projects in hospitals, schools and communities, to large-scale emergency relief efforts such as the recent Haiti earthquake.

In the Caribbean islands, there are more than 150,000 members of the LDS Church, in 369 congregations. Over 15,000 of these members live in Haiti, half of these calling Port-au-Prince home.

“Our hearts ache for the people of Haiti and our prayers are with them as we witness the unimaginable suffering they are experiencing,” said Bishop H. David Burton, presiding bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who oversees the Church’s humanitarian program. “We are grateful for the many generous donations that enable the Church to provide extensive relief in Haiti, as well as other parts of the world.”

Relief Supplies Provided by the Church
Five air shipments of aid provided by the Church have arrived and are being used in Haiti. They include food, medical supplies, communications equipment, tents, tarps, water filtration bottles, blankets, newborn kits, wheelchairs, first aid kits, portable toilets and other items. Those five flights include a total of nearly 375,000 pounds of relief supplies. Partners United Airlines, Islamic Relief USA, Airline Ambassadors and UPS have worked with the Church to provide transport for these shipments.

Additionally, four truckloads of relief supplies have arrived in Haiti with supplies the Church procured in the Dominican Republic. On the ground in Haiti, the Church is working with partners Food for the Poor and CARE to distribute supplies.

Local Church leaders closest to the situation provide the direction for what supplies are most needed for people in their areas. Future shipments will continue to bring those relief supplies.

“Normal daily activity has come to a stop in Haiti. Helping to restore normalcy in the midst of devastation will be our greatest goal. Our focus will be on helping people become self-reliant again,” said Elder Francisco J. Viñas, the LDS Church area president who oversees the Church in Haiti.

Medical Relief
A team of five medical personnel coordinated by the Church arrived on Friday, 15 January, from the Dominican Republic to assist the injured. Another team of 16 medical professionals from the United States arrived on 18 January and provided emergency care for those needing medical attention. A revolving core team of doctors from the Church remains in Haiti providing general health care, follow-up care for injuries, as well as for sickness and communicable disease common after disasters.

Church Meetinghouses as Shelters
All of the Church’s meetinghouses in Haiti have been left largely undamaged. Local Church leaders report that nine chapels in Haiti have been used to shelter as many as 5,000 people in local communities where the chapels are located. Several truckloads of food and other relief supplies have been shipped to the chapels, and doctors sent by the Church have provided treatment to injured and sick individuals who are taking shelter there.

Generosity of Members and Friends of the Church
In the first few days after the earthquake the LDS Church received donations in the millions of US dollars from concerned members of the community, specifically for aid in Haiti. Church members in the Caribbean Area have been invited to dedicate their February monthly fast offering to the Haiti relief effort. When fasting, members traditionally donate the money they save by not eating two meals to the church for providing financial help to those in need; those who can donate more are encouraged to do so.

An official statement from the Church on January 22, 2010 also addressed the emotional trauma the Haitian people are experiencing in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

“Money is not the only need in Haiti,” the statement explains. “People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people.”

Donations for relief efforts can be made at http://give.lds.org/emergencyresponse.

PADF-OAS-HUFH relief efforts get a major financial boost

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Chevron has donated $450,000 to the Pan American Development Foundation’s Haiti disaster relief and recovery effort, a major contribution that will have a significant impact on the nonprofit’s in-country work. www.PanAmericanRelief.org

“Chevron is a shining example of corporate leadership during natural disasters and humanitarian crises,” says John Sanbrailo, PADF’s Executive Director “Chevron’s generous contribution to our work in Haiti ensures that we can benefit even more people in some of the mostly heavily damaged areas.”

PADF — an independent nonprofit that also acts as the natural disaster arm of Organization of American States (OAS) — is collaborating with Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) and other organizations to provide immediate relief and to contribute to the country’s reconstruction.

“PADF has always taken a long-term approach to helping Haiti. We were there for them before and we are proud to be able to respond to the call for support again in providing immediate relief and assistance,” says Mauricio Nicholls, general manager, retail and commercial and industrial, Caribbean, Central America and Andean regions for Chevron Products Company.

Chevron is also matching its USA employee contributions to PADF-OAS-HUFH and encouraging employees around the globe to contribute to the earthquake relief efforts. Employees are donating online at www.PanAmericanRelief.org. Chevron’s contribution to PADF is part of a $1.2 million donation to several aid organizations working in Haiti.

In addition to Haiti, Chevron has been involved in PADF’s relief efforts in Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, Ecuador, Peru and elsewhere. It is a founding member of PADF’s Disaster Management and Emergency Response Program, which was created to channel corporate contributions to relief efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Individual and corporate donations to the Haiti relief efforts are encouraged by calling toll-free (877) 572-4484 or visiting www.PanAmericanRelief.org. Text HEAL to 50555 to donate $5. One-hundred percent of donations go to Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

About Chevron
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 62,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops and commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About the OAS
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, which was held in Washington, D.C. from October 1889 to April 1890. Today, it is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. www.oas.org

About HUFH
Hollywood Unites For Haiti is a non-profit charitable aid organization based in Los Angeles that is lead by Jimmy Jean-Louis, the actor who plays the “Haitian” on NBC’s “Heroes.” www.hufh.org and www.HaitianHero.com

About PADF
PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, it had more than 5.6 million beneficiaries in 18 countries.

PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights.

Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. www.padf.org