Post Conflict Projects

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Below is a letter sent by the NGO Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL: www.oursoil.org) to commemorate the first year anniversary of the January 2010 Earthquake in Haiti. --------------- Dear Friends of Haiti, One year ago this morning millions of Haitians rose to greet the cool January sunshine. They walked the streets of Port au Prince, on their way to work, through the damp corridors of the capital. The National Palace towered over Champs Mars and the bells of the National Cathedral greeted the market women who gathered long before sunrise. Thousands of mothers kissed their children goodbye for the day and hundreds of schools throughout the capital echoed with the voices of students eager to learn after the Christmas holiday. The parks of the city smelled of fried food and charcoal smoke. It was Tuesday, it could have been any Tuesday, but for over 200,000 people it would be their last. Twelve hours later as the sun dropped into the bay of Port au Prince the city...

Today marks the first year anniversary of a tragic loss of our friends, family, loved ones and an insurmountable number of others who we may not recognise but would still wish to commemorate. That the memory of the efforts and contributions of our colleagues who perished on that fateful day may spur us on to continue supporting Haiti in its tumultuous struggles to rise from the ashes, we invite you all to observe a brief moment of silence at 1700 hours (5 pm) SDQ time. In the words of MINUSTAH SRSG Edmond Mulet: " While honouring the dead, also honour the living because the challenges ahead are still enormous." http://www.un.org/en/memorial/haiti/

A few months back, I wrote about a visit to Iles Cayemites, an isolated island off the coast of Corail/Pestel in Jeremie (Haiti). With a population in thousands, the island was bare of even the most basic of necessities. MINUSTAH , through its Quick Impact Project funding constructed several water cisterns to collect rain water in several communities in the area. This has allowed the people to get access to fresh water and be less dependent on expensive water transported by boat to the island. Next? This month, we installed sixteen solar-powered street lamps along the main thoroughfares Yes, solar-powered! Low maintenance; virtually zero running cost not to mention, environmentally-friendly. More importantly, these will improve security in the area where with a population of around 20,000, not a single police can be found. The children who used to study under the candlelight or with gas lamps will now have this new found convenience. The locals showed their full support for th...

The MINUSTAH Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) programme has been approved for a sixth year with a budget of USD 3 million to reinforce MINUSTAH’s renewed drive to win the hearts and minds of the Haitian population. The deterioration of living conditions, due to a rise in food and energy costs on the world markets, has been further exacerbated by the 2008 hurricanes which wiped out an estimated three to four years of economic growth. QIPs, even though limited in scope to lastingly change the challenging situation in the country, would help to significantly improve the environment for effective mandate implementation and help ameliorate security conditions for MINUSTAH personnel. Owing to their popularity and high visibility, QIPs can make a difference in boosting and maintaining public confidence in the Mission, its activities and the democratic process. Three major areas of support have been sought by the Government – the rehabilitation of infrastructure, the resumption of the school y...

Ile Cayemite, a small island of about 20,000 inhabitants and 500 households is just around two hours away by boat from the mainland of Corail. Even before setting foot on the island, one could not help but notice the desolation in the area - lambi shells scattered on the shore; makeshift houses; children left to fend for themselves; a mid-sized boat buying all the catch of the day and paying just enough for the islanders' subsistence. It is futile to ask whether they have access to electricity much less basic health care or fresh drinking water. One school, one mini health clinic, one cistern to collect rain water - c'est tout. A priest tries to use all his means to help these people live through each day. In spite of this simplicity and seeming lack of basic necessities, the people have this aura of contentment about them. It's the wonder of adaptation to one's environment. As we sailed around the island, the crystal clear waters, white sand patches and isolated...

La MINUSTAH a procédé à l’inauguration d’un hangar près du bord de mer de la ville des Cayes (Sud), le 27 février dernier. Cette nouvelle construction permettra l’entreposage des marchandises ainsi que l’embarquement et le débarquement des passagers dans les villes côtières de cette région du pays. Lissez l'ensemble de cet article .

More than 24 hours after the collapse of La Promesse College in Port-au-Prince, several actors continue removing debris in search of possible survivors but the biggest challenge consists of removing the debris without aggravating the situation. As of today, 11 November, more than 80 students and adults have already been reported dead and another 150 injured. "Last night we were sure there were still seven children alive. We got one of them but we have lost all signs of the other six being alive," President Preval said after one of his visits to the scene of the said disaster. "Some say they might be sleeping. Others believe they have died." Lire cet article en français

The humanitarian organisations have put together their support for the victims of typhoons Hanna et Ike in Gonaïves. On 9 September, a private cargo ship, renamed "Tree Rivers of Grand'Anse", arrived at the ports of the Cité de l'indépendance loaded with 400 tons of various supplies and equipment. Once at the quay, containers were immediately unloaded. Those of the World Food Programme (WFP) contained ten (10) tons of enriched flour, two (2) tons of black beans, two (2) tons of oil and ten (10) tons of rice. It also transported trucks of fuel and construction equipment for MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti). The ship also delivered 200,000 litres of potable water and 27,000 hygiene kits sent by UNICEF. The vehicles of Médecins sans frontières (MSF) containing medicines and other emergency medical materials as well as a vehicle for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) were also found on board. " It is important that by the end o...

Among the victims of the recent typhoons which have swept over the region of Artibonite, between 02 to 07 September, the women and the children represent not only a group not only important but whic falls amongst the most fragile, together with the elderly people. To protect them from the diverse types of dangers in which they are exposed, a number of actions have been undertaken specifically in their favour. In the office of the NGO CARE, located in the Gattereau district of Gonaïves, many of those seriously affected by the recent typhoons wait for the water to subside so that they may take back their homes. This temporary shelter is the largest in this area devastated by typhoons Hanna and Ike. It is occupied by almost 4000 displaced persons but what worries most of those who visit is the number of children who obviously have been left on their own. Lire cet article en français.

A delegation of eleven members of the 5th Committee of the United Nations General Assembly visited Haiti from 7 to 14 July. This delegation aimed to measure the concrete implications of the financial decisions taken by them during the voting for the budget of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as well as to better understand the needs of each component (military, police, civilian) of the Mission in complying with the mandate given by the Security Council. Click to read the full article and view the photos .

Violence has again recently struck Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It started last Friday in Les Cayes, one of the country's more touristic spots and since yesterday in Port-au-Prince. Today, the streets of Les Cayes and Port-au-Prince have been littered with burned tyres and other barricades. Vehicles parked on the road side have been smashed. Petrol stations along the main streets have been ransacked and vandalised. The people have been clamouring against "la vie chère"or the very high cost of living. Eighty percent of the 8.7 million Haitians live in poverty and 54 percent live in abject poverty, according to the CIA's World Factbook. Certain analysts have suggested that the demonstrations resulted mainly from the lack of response from the government concerning this widespread problem. This stance has been taken by the country's business community. The Haiti Chamber of Commerce has reiterated today that it was unfortunate that the governme...

Thanks to financing from the MINUSTAH, the townships of Moron and Chamberlain, in the department of the Grande Anse (south of the country), are given each a new slaughterhouse. In the same way, with the construction of a cold room and the concession of four boats by the NGO Food for the Poor to the township of Abricots, as well as the construction of a "fishing village" in the township of Bonbon, the fishing activity in these areas have taken a new flight. Grâce au financement octroyé par la MINUSTAH, les communes de Moron et de Chambellan, dans le département de la Grand'Anse (Sud du pays), sont dotées chacune d'un nouvel abattoir. De même, avec la construction d'une chambre froide et l'octroi de quatre bateaux par l'ONG « Food for the Poor» à la commune d'Abricots, ainsi que la construction d'un « village de pêcheurs » dans la commune de Bonbon, l'activité de pêche, dans la zone, connaît un nouvel essor. http://www.minustah.org/articles/980/1...

Three years of work, more than 300 projects and more than US$ 4 million after of small, highly visible, quick impact projects to assist Haiti in finding some sense of hope, see the fruits of a million labour in the MINUSTAH QIPs Video

Le 16 novembre, le nouveau complexe administratif de Bas-Limbé a été inauguré par les autorités de la commune et du département en présence du chef de région. Ce QIP de 921000 gourdes est le premier bâtiment public construit à Bas-Limbé depuis que la commune a été créée dans les années 70. Le bâtiment abritera la mairie, l'état civil et le tribunal de paix. L'inauguration s'est déroulée en présence du délégué départemental, Georgemain Prophète. Il a félicité la MINUSTAH en ces termes : « J'ai suggéré aux autorités de la MINUSTAH de veiller à implémenter des projets durables et inoubliables. Franchement, elles ont suivi mes conseils. Bravo MINUSTAH!». Pour sa part, le chef de région a précisé que « c'est le deuxième complexe administratif financé dans la région, après celui de Quartier-Morin, à côté de tant d'autres projets ». En outre, le bureau régional a retenu un projet de mairie à Pignon.

With a budget of US$9.5 million and a target population of 5.7 million, this complex and ambitious project aims to eradicate the recurrence of measles, rubella and tetanus in this poverty-stricken nation. For further details and photos please see: http://www.minustah.org/articles/786/1/Lancement-dune-grande-campagne-de-vaccination-en-Haiti/05-novembre-2007.html

Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) are normally funded for just the first two years of life of any United Nations Peacekeeping mission. Haiti (MINUSTAH), however, has been an exceptional case since it started in 2004. Since the mission's mandate has significantly metamorphosed, it has managed to obtain QIPs funding for four straight years and, as it appears, will receive yet a fifth year of QIPs funding. For more, please see below: UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission in Haiti for a year EDITH M. LEDERER / Associated Press / October 15, 2007 UNITED NATIONS_The Security Council voted unanimously Monday to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti for a year, noting significant improvements in security in recent months but saying the situation remains fragile. The council underscored that illegal international trafficking of drugs and arms continues to affect Haiti's stability. It also stressed that respect for human rights, due process, ending impunity and addressing ...

Now in it's third year, World Challenge 2007 , in association with Shell, is a global competition that seeks out projects and businesses that not only make a profit, but also put something back into the community. World Challenge 2007 , brought to you by BBC World and Newsweek, in association with Shell is all about rewarding individuals or groups that truly make a difference through enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. The winner will receive a US$20,000 award from Shell to benefit their project, while two runners-up will each receive $10,000. One representative from each of the three final projects will be flown to The Hague, The Netherlands to attend the award ceremony in December 2007. The 12 finalists of World Challenge 2007 have now been chosen and now it is your chance to determine the winner. To view a profile of each project, and to cast your vote click here . The programmes profiling the finalists will be shown throughout October and November on BBC World. Fo...

"Lopital sou dlo", the Creole equivalent of "hospital on the water." The video shows the recent mission of USS Comfort to Haiti to provide much needed medical assistance. Interesting video: http://www.minustah.org/video/jpo/jpo6/jpo6_1.html .

Ce 11 septembre, un avion de la compagnie aérienne haitienne Caribintair s'est écrasé dans la localité de Source Puante, au nord de Port-au-Prince. Cet accident est le deuxième par cette compagnie en moins de 15 jours, le dernier en date ayant eu lieu le 31 août. Pour suivre les details: http://www.minustah.org/articles/653/1/Deux-accidents-davion-en-moins-de-deux-semaines/11-Septembre-2007.html