World Bank Supports Haiti’s Post-Matthew Reconstruction
First grant of a US$100 million package for long-term reconstruction
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2017— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$20 million grant to rehabilitate roads and bridges in southern Haiti, and strengthen the capacity of the country's civil protection to respond to disasters. This is the first grant of a US$100 million package of support mobilized by the International Development Association's (IDA) Crisis Response Window for reconstruction after the devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew. This financing complements the US$49.5 million mobilized for emergency use from Haiti's existing IDA resources in October 2016.
More than two million Haitians were affected by the hurricane, which struck on October 4, 2016. Reconstruction needs were assessed at US$2.2 billion or 25 percent of GDP.
The disaster has impacted Haiti’s economy. The fiscal deficit is expected to widen substantially this year and economic growth has slowed to one percent. Haiti has faced natural disasters almost every year since 1971, losing on average two percent of GDP every year due to hydrometeorological events.
“Seven months after the storm, there are signs of progress, but this is just the beginning of a long journey to recovery,” said Mary Barton Dock, the World Bank’s Special Envoy for Haiti. “This funding from IDA's Crisis Response Window will not only help rebuild critical infrastructure and boost the economy, it will also help support Haiti's long-term climate resilience”.
The World Bank's Board of Directors is scheduled to consider the remaining 80 million dollars in the coming weeks.
Haitian Entrepreneur Lyne Vanessa Alexandre
Joins Regional Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston, in collaboration with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean, and Meridian International Center is hosting the “Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI) Regional Workshop on Entrepreneurship,” to examine unique challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs in the Caribbean, and encourage growth and collaboration outside of the region.
From June 5-6, one hundred young entrepreneurs representing 20 countries from the Caribbean (including Belize, Cuba, and Guyana) are meeting with senior officials from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C, U.S. Embassy Kingston, Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean, as well as top entrepreneurs from across the United States for ongoing entrepreneurship training and collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Lyne Vanessa Alexandre of PROCONA is representing Haiti in this workshop.
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group and Branson Centre, headlines the 2-day workshop and discusses how entrepreneurship in the Caribbean can and will move the region forward economically.
Additional workshop highlights include a keynote presentation by American entrepreneur and artist, Chase Jarvis, CEO of CreativeLive; a Forum immersion mini-course led by the global membership association Entrepreneurs’ Organization; interactive peer skill-building sessions led by attendees; and YLAI Labs - facilitated by Meridian andAtlas Corps.
After Guy Philippe, other expected arrests
Attorney Frandney D. Julien defends his hypothesis in a book, which will be available for sale at “Livres En Folie.”
The title of the book - “Les Non-Dits de L’Affaire Guy Phillippe, Après La Pluie … la Tempête.”
“In my book, I explained the collaboration of Guy Phillippe with American authorities. After reading it, you will know exactly which sector should be worried.”
While waiting for his final verdict on June 21, we know that Phillippe received between $1.5 to $3.5 million from drug traffickers. He also admits having benefited from the help of certain people, including police officers. As part of his plea deal, U.S. authorities have for the moment ruled out the counts of indictment of drug trafficking, which hold a maximum penalty of life in prison. Also ruled out are charges of fraudulent financial transactions, which hold a maximum penalty of 10 years. They also allowed him to plead guilty to money laundering which comes with a penalty of 20 years of prison.
If between the date the plea deal was signed and the day his sentence is rendered, it is determined that he didn’t fully cooperate, Phillippe can once again face life in prison.
USAID Supports Ministry of Health in Release of Food Pyramid
Chargé d’Affaires Brian Shukan joined Haiti’s Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant and Ministry of Health leadership on Friday, June 2nd, to launch the new Haitian food pyramid, in conjunction with the MyPlate initiative.
To address the challenge of malnutrition in Haiti, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners collaborated with the Ministry of Health (MOH)to promote healthy food choices based on locally available foods and global scientific evidence. In close collaboration with the MOH, the MyPlate initiative involved pre-testing the pyramid for understanding and cultural appropriateness, printing and launching the new food pyramid, and educating.
This USAID project revised the Haitian food pyramid graphic and will use the information to educate Haitian households through a network of health providers, community health workers, community leaders, health development partners and government officials.
The pyramid-shaped food diagram represents the optimal number of servings to be eaten each day from each of the basic food groups. The Haitian Food Pyramid was originally designed and implemented by the Ministry of Health in 2005 in collaboration with the World Bank and the World Health Organization. In 2015, the MOH requested USAID assistance to update the “MyPlate" food pyramid with the most current evidence and disseminate it across the country.
The new food pyramid reflects national recommendations for dietary practices for Haitians over the age of two. The images seek to promote healthy food choices and be based on locally available grown foods and global scientific evidence. In March 2015, the USAID/Haiti Mission Director approved funding to revise the Pyramid.
The Supreme Pontiff filtered in on the technology to speak simultaneously to pupils in new country Friday.
The ingenuity of Pope Francis continues!
Last Friday, six Haitian students from Lycée Daniel Fignolé and l’École Nouvelle Zoranje communicated with him during a tele-conference facilitated by the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) in Bourdon. Students from nine other countries participated in this tele-conference as part of the program Scholas Occurrentes."
The discussion centered on different topics, including: globalization, education, religious values and new technologies. The Ministry of the Education was represented by Minister Charlotte B. Younger, a member of the cabinet.
The next session in Haiti will take place in November, 2017 in the city of Cap-Haïtien.
Haiti: strengthening of the police presence in streets
Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant informed that there has been a crime increase in the last few weeks, especially in cases of assault, theft, and murder. But the head of the government reassured that the crime rate was clearly lower when compared to this time last year. Nevertheless, he underlined that in the eyes of a victim’s relatives, these statistics meant 100 percent increase.
Jack Guy Lafontant blamed social media for increasing people’s fears regarding the crime surge in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. However he urged the population to be vigilant. "Se Mèt kò ki veye kò,” said Lafontant. He called upon the population to share information with the Haitian National Police force and help its efforts to dismantle gangs.
Diaspora Montreal: A Warning for Travelers
Haiti Libre
The Office of Consumer protection in Montreal (OPC) warned the Haitian population against the company Voyages Amigo Inc. of Montreal located 6770 Rue Jarry Est, local 230, in Montreal. The company which also operates under the name “Haiti Charter,” has been selling plane tickets for flights to Port-au-Prince even though it does not hold a travel agent's license.
The OPC reminded consumers that to offer travel services without holding a license is illegal. Moreover, by buying from a company without license, the customer goes without statutory financial protections. The consumers who bought tickets of plane or the other services from Charter Haiti and who are afraid they cannot travel, are invited to communicate with the Office. (www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/). They will receive information according to their situation so that they are capable of exercising recourses, if necessary."
The office stresses for consumers not to risk their money, and always verify a travel agent’s license.
For more information visit: voyagezbienprotege.gouv.qc.ca