Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 23 novembre 2015

 Haiti - Culture: The Haitian artist Black Alex passed away

The Haitian artist Jamecy Alex Pierre, better known under the name of "Black Alex", died last Friday, November 13th, 2015. This announcement was made on the airwaves of Radio Caraïbes during the show Matin Caraïbes.

More than once, rumors spread about the death of Black Alex. Personalities from the Haitian cultural world began to pay tribute to the one who was considered for a long time as the unruly child of the Haitian rap.

It was the group "King Posse" which propelled him center stage in the 90’s. Since then, he never left the heart of the many Haitians who followed the evolution of his career, as well as his setbacks.

At the beginning of this year, the star singer of the group King Posse, Black Alex, who lived for several years with HIV, converted to Protestantism in the church Shalom Tabernacle de Gloire. Thousands of television viewers watched the event. Black Alex suffered for several years of diverse health problems, including pneumonia.

Cocaine: Venezuelians arrested in Haiti
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> 11/11/15, 6:08:24 PM: BOGOTA, Colombia — Two nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores have been arrested in Haiti on charges of trying to smuggle 800 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S., two people familiar with the case said Wednesday.
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> The incident is likely to heighten tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela and cast a new look at U.S. accusations of drug trafficking by top-level officials in the socialist South American nation.
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> The two arrested men, identified as Efrain Campos and Francisco Flores, were detained Tuesday night when they arrived on a private plane in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, said Michael Vigil, the former head of international operations at the Drug Enforcement Administration, who was briefed by U.S. authorities about the undercover operation.
>
> Vigil said Campos claimed to law enforcement that he is the son of Flores and stepson of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Both Campos and Flores were traveling on diplomatic passports but don't have diplomatic immunity, Vigil said.

Haiti Elections: Thousands protest

Port-au-Prince (AFP) - Thousands of people aligned with the political opposition demonstrated in the Haitian capital on Wednesday against President Michel Martelly, accusing him of orchestrating an "electoral coup d'etat."

The protest comes after seven presidential candidates called Monday for an independent investigation of initial vote results that determined Jovenel Moise, backed by Martelly, drew 32 percent of the ballots on October 25.

Moise will go into a runoff on December 27 against Jude Celestin, of the Lapeh party, who garnered 25 percent of the vote.

The election is the latest attempt in the Americas' poorest country to shed chronic political instability and work toward development.

But Assad Volcy, spokesman for the Pitit Dessalines party, hit out at what he called an "electoral coup d'etat," as the opposition rallied through Port-au-Prince.

"We do not trust the electoral courts and the CEP," Volcy said, referring to the provisional electoral council.

"Our only recourse is the streets."

The demonstration was attended by Maryse Narcisse, who is legally challenging the results of the poll.

"I'm here to accompany the Haitian people, who demand respect for their vote," said Narcisse, who came fourth in the vote.

More protests by the opposition are expected to take place in the capital on Thursday and Friday.

The CEP is expected to announce final results of the first-round vote "in the next week," a spokesman said.

Three former Haitian prime ministers and the sitting prime minister participated in a meeting last week for the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals

In attendance were former Prime Ministers Gary Conille, Laurent Lamothe and Jean Max Bellerive. Current Prime Minister Evans Paul also made the trip to participate in the event. The conference was held at the North Miami campus of Florida International University and Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles was in attendance.

This is a summary of her report about the event:

Taking place over three days, and co-hosted by Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Jean Monestime and North Miami Mayor Smith Joseph, the conference opened Thursday and ended Saturday. Its 400 attendees included a who’s who in the Haitian diaspora and Haiti politics, with keynote addresses by three Haitian former prime ministers — Garry Conille, Jean-Max Bellerive, and Laurent Lamothe — as well as current Prime Minister Evans Paul.

At the foundation of all of the addresses: leveraging the power of Haitians living abroad beyond their annual $2 billion in remittances to elevate Haiti and its diaspora.

“If we empower this Haitian diaspora, we can do good work in Haiti,” said Dr. Jean-Philippe Austin, a radiation oncologist who serves as Florida finance chair for the Democratic National Committee and a founder of Haitian-Americans for Progress. “We don’t need to do one more [non-governmental organization].”

Welcoming the focus, Haiti Central Bank Governor Charles Castel told the group that “We are really open to benefit from your expertise.” But the case of Haiti, he warned, is not simple.

“It’s a very complex and complicated situation,” he added. “Sometimes, we criticize the players of today, forgetting what we are facing, the reality of Haiti.”

That reality includes a country that’s struggling financially and facing a deepening political crisis over its recent elections. Weeks after the Oct. 25 presidential and legislative elections, opposition protests continue to grow in the country, raising questions about the fate of the Dec. 27 runoffs.

Jean Max Bellerive

What Haiti needs, he said, is “a vision; not slogans or non-realistic promises of changing everything overnight just because you think you are better men or women than the previous team.

“We need real programs that people can understand and support. To do that, we have to build teams beyond public-relations and marketing staffs,” Bellerive said. “All Haitians need to be in agreement that it’s time to change the way we do business.”

Evans Paul

Haiti’s prime minister tells S. Fla diaspora he supports vote verification. Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul says he is open to a request by a group of presidential candidates and local observers for an independent verification of the count in the controversial Oct. 25 first round presidential elections.

But Paul, in an interview with the Miami Herald, said he also wonders if the appointment of an independent five-member commission will be enough to place trust in the country’s ongoing electoral process. “I don’t have a problem to do an independent commission,” Paul said prior to his address Saturday at the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals conference at Florida International University in North Miami. “The question is who will make up this commission because the trust crisis in Haiti doesn’t exclude anyone.

“The members of the [Provisional Electoral Council] come from institutions that the country trusts the most,” Paul added. “If you don’t trust these people, then the others who you would appoint, on what planet will you find them?”

Laurent Lamothe

Former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who also addressed the conference Saturday, supported Paul’s call for a solution to the electoral crisis.

One of the first persons to criticize the CEP after it rejected his presidential candidacy to run for president, Lamothe said the current crisis is predictable. But the destiny of the country, he said, is hanging in the balance and something has to give.

“There needs to be a talk between all of the stakeholders,” Lamothe said, noting that he supports “every request that it would take to make the process trustworthy and transparent, and every request that would make the legitimacy of the next president to be clear and clean cut.”

Plea for the unification of Haiti with its Diaspora

The Ambassador of Canada in Haiti, Paula Caldwell St, Onge, addressed the 4th conference of the National Association of the Haitian Professionals (NAHP) in Miami last Friday. The event’s theme was “The plea and the unification of Haiti with its Diaspora ".

For the Ambassador, this subject is of major importance, because she is, like all of us, witness to the relationship of the Haitian Diaspora in Canada with its country of origin, Haiti, which Dany Laferrière, Michaëlle Jean, Fabienne Colas etc… illustrate marvelously. "The latter are perfect examples of the links which exist between Haiti and Canada."

According to her, the members of the Diaspora play a key role in the Haitian economy, especially through the numerous money transfers which they make daily.

"We can also notice that Canada’s actions are now focused on promoting economic activity at the local level, its growth, and the implementation of an environment that encourages investments whether Haitian or foreign.

To do it, Canada supported the Haitian government in the adoption of laws which guarantee this environment; it helped to build the road of Cayes-Jérémie with the aim of facilitating trade; it set up programs for financial assistance in agriculture from 2011 till 2014 with international and local partners and supplied 12.3 million dollars of credit to 9,600 agricultural entrepreneurs with the aim of stimulating national production.

The Canada’s action also allowed more than 440,000 Haitian to obtain credits for small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, in association with the Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Canada works to strengthen the links between the Haitian and Canadian private sectors through trade activities."

Ambassador Paula Caldwell St-Onge announced that from now on Canada is going to place sustainable economic growth at the center of its decision to contribute to the economic development of Haiti.

This will have the following objective:

·To improve the access to credit and other financial services;

·To support the improvement of the business climate and to free land titles.

·To support the development of key sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism and the production of goods.

·To contribute to the capacity, the independence and the responsibility of the economic entities, including municipalities.

Dweynie Esther Paul became, last Tuesday, the first Haitian-American to be elected judge of a civil court in New York State.

Born of Haitian parents in Queens, Dweynie Esther Paul represents from now on the 2^nd municipal district which includes Bedford Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights and Ocean Hill around of Brooklyn (New York).

"For those who have been given a lot, much is expected! I am so much blessed and honored to be able to serve the whole community of Kings County. Today, we made history together. I share this moment with the Haitian community and our big Pan-African black community.

This victory is the result of the meeting of our communities, our talents and our resources. It also comes from a strong desire to see a fair and just judicial system. I wish to live according to the values and the aspiration of this community while I perform my duties. I am anxious to thank all those who supported me, my family, my parents and God! ", declared Judge Dweynie Paul in the Kinanm Lounge.

Dweynie Esther Paul studied at SUNY Stony Brook University where she obtained a double degree in political sciences and in social sciences, with a minor in children and family studies.

She also studied in London (England) at Middlesex University within the heart of their legal system and had an internship with the Labor Political Party (the equivalent of the Democratic Party in the United States).

Upon her return from England, she had an internship with the Honorable

Daniel Lewis of the New York Supreme Court in the county of Queens.

She continued her studies within the graduate program at Stony Brook and obtained a master's degree in public policy. Afterward, she went on to George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C., where she received her jurist's Doctorate degree.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 24 novembre 2015

 Sitting Senator shot by police in protest against election fraud

More than 50,000 were in the streets for a protest against election results they deem fraudulent.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (sentinel.ht) – Sitting Senator Steven Benoit was taken to the hospital after police opened fire on a protest against election fraud that had, beforehand, been proceeding non-violently.

Injuries sustained by sitting Senator Steven Benoit and former Senator Jean-Charles Moïse, who finished third in the preliminary election results.

Benoit was injured in the head by the gunfire of possibly rubber or real bullets. Witnesses say real rounds were being used. He was among more than 50,000 who protested against election results. The senator and presidential candidate was taken to the hospital.

Benoit accepted his defeat in the October 25, 2015, elections but like more than a dozen other candidates, believe the totalitarian ruling party of President Michel Martelly had engaged in massive fraud.

Horse shot by police after being dismounted by former Senator Jean-Charles Moïse

Another candidate, a popular opposition presidential candidate, who may be the greatest victim if the fraud decried had actually occurred, is former Senator Jean-Charles Moïse. He was dismounting a horse during the protest when witnesses say police shot rubber bullets and fired tear gas at him.

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) of Pierre Louis Opont on Tuesday rejected calls for transparency requested by candidates, human rights and election observation organizations.

Haitian-American organizations have criticized the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General, Sandra Honoré, and members of the Core Group, for encouraging the Martelly regime to take strong measures against citizens protesting against the validity of the results.

The Core Group includes the ambassadors of the United States, France, Canada, Spain, Brazil and European Union. It is led by the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti that has employed a Barack Obama – Hillary Clinton foreign policy that began by propping up a musician named Michel Martelly in 2010.

With the Core Group’s support, Haiti’s young democracy went from one of more than 5,000 elected officials nationwide in 2010 to a totalitarian regime ruled and dictated by one in 2015.

Fedora Mathieu wins the René-Lubien Prize

Mrs. Fedora Mathieu who was born in Port-au-Prince, but has lived in Quebec since 2005 won the Prize René-Lupien annual award for an excellent master's thesis whose subject-matter is of interest to the French-speaking community in Canada. The thesis, which must be drafted in French, may be either in the field of sciences, or humanities.

Titled " The implementation of the law for the creation of housing by non-government humanitarian worker following a disaster: the Haiti case”, Mathieu’s thesis, benefited from the financial support of the prestigious Gordon F. scholarship. Its objective was to analyze the relevance of non-governmental, humanitarian worker and their legal obligations regarding business and social issues, following the earthquake of 2010. According to one of the evaluation reports, the thesis provides evidence of an "excellent understanding of the stakes, the situation, and the problems connected to the lack of legal supervision for the activities of these non-governmental, humanitarian workers. The document also possesses remarkable literary qualities, according to one of the evaluators: "I have rarely read a master's thesis so well written. The methodology is rigorous, the plan is very well followed and the organization of ideas is excellent. "

Mrs. Fedora Mathieu is the recipient of the Medal of the Bar of Paris as well as numerous other honors for her academic achievements.

HL / HaïtiLibre

Syrians coming from Haiti arrested: Three Syrians were arrested with false Greek travel documents last Saturday. Police advises vigilance and an increase in security

SIMPSON BAY - The police have arrested three (3) men, who tried to enter the country on Saturday; November 14th, using false documents.

The men in custody are believed to be nationals of Syria who arrived at the Princess Juliana International Airport around 7:30 pm on an Insel Air flight originating from Haiti. They were soon after held by airport immigration after it was discovered that the travel documents they presented were false.

The suspects were turned over to the “Back Office” at the PJIA who further investigated the documents and determined that the Greek passports the men were travelling with were indeed false. The suspects are remanded in custody pending further investigation.

In the meantime; the Police is urging members of the community to be vigilant and proceed with caution given the current situation unfolding in France.

Authorities manning critical infrastructures are urged to heighten security measures and remain alert for any suspicious activities or persons. They are also advised to contact the police immediately should they encounter any suspicious activities in these areas. (Police Force Sint Maarten)

Dominicans of Haitian descent turned into ‘ghost citizens', says Amnesty

Amnesty International report says authorities in the Dominican Republic have rendered generations of people stateless, in violation of their human rights

The Dominican Republic has violated the human rights of tens of thousands of people by stripping several generations of citizenship, according to a scathing new report by Amnesty International.

The report details decades of discriminatory practices codified into laws that have turned Haitians and their DR-born children into “ghost citizens”. These stateless people lack identity papers for work, healthcare, schooling or the right to live in either nation on the island.

“With the stroke of a pen, authorities in the Dominican Republic have effectively wiped four generations of Dominicans off the map,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty’s Americas director.

Since the 1990s, Dominican authorities have created a “legal maze” of bureaucracy to recover their papers, the group said, noting a 2013 court ruling that rendered stateless anyone born in the country to an undocumented foreign parent. The ruling was enforced retroactively to 1929, leaving as many as four generations of Dominicans of Haitian descent stateless and without valid documents.

“The ruling was outrageous,” said Chiara Liguori, Amnesty’s expert on the Caribbean and the author of the report.

“Most of these people have never claimed Haitian nationality,” she said. “Dominicans who’ve never been to Haiti, have no ties there, are now obliged to prove themselves: to say first, ‘Look I’m a foreigner,’ and then apply for naturalization over two years. And to apply doesn’t mean they’ll get it.”

The ruling rendered people stateless even outside the country, prompting protests in New York and international denunciations from human rights groups who say the government is depriving people of basic needs.

“These people have a very strong sense of belonging to this country,” Liguori said. “They want to help and make a contribution. They don’t know what to think of themselves anymore.”

The rights group says these retroactive decisions have created “a continuing cycle of alienation and marginalization down the generations”. Although there are no clear estimates for how many people are stateless, Amnesty estimates the law affects several tens of thousands of people.

In 2012, a UN and EU survey found more than 200,000 people in the Dominican Republican had at least one foreign parent and were of Haitian descent.

Children with at least one Dominican parent are entitled to citizenship, though many struggle to receive recognition.

Yolanda Alcino, a 25-year-old Dominican of Haitian descent, told the Guardian she was registered at birth but has been refused an identity card for the past eight years. The second oldest of nine siblings, she said her family illustrates “the complete, complicated reality” of life in the country – some of her brothers and sisters have papers, others do not.

“It’s hard to find work, we can’t get into school, get my children into school,” she said. “We’re discriminated against, and without education, without work, life is more difficult in almost every way.”

Alcino said that earlier this year the authorities told her that without an identity card she could not register her children or file a domestic violence complaint against their father.

“I can’t get my children their identities because of this,” she said.

The rights group interviewed dozens of people for its 60-page report, including one woman, speaking anonymously, whose daughter was unable to register.

“My daughter does not exist for the Dominican state. She is dead from a civic point of view,” the mother said.

People spoke of prejudice, beatings, work at the bottom of society, and being barred from schools and hospitals. One woman said that because she lacked papers, she had had to become a domestic worker for a wealthy family at the age of 10. The family forced her to work 15-hour days and beat her, she said, declining to use her real name for fear of being fired.

Jessica Profeta, a 14-year-old Dominican-born girl of Haitian descent, said her parents were refused a birth certificate repeatedly, and could not enroll her in school for a lack of papers. When her parents tried to enroll her in a naturalization plan, the line was so long that the office closed before her father reached the doors.

“I would like her to go to the university, to have a better future,” he said.

Programs such as a six-month naturalization initiative are insufficient, Guevara-Rosas said, since they was poorly advertised and demanded a list of papers that many could not supply. The naturalization program, for instance, expired in February and asked for testimony from a midwife or seven witnesses to prove a person was born in the country.

As in the US, undocumented workers are largely relegated to difficult work for paltry pay. Women often cannot find work except as cleaners and servants, and men often find themselves enduring brutal conditions on bateyes – sugar cane farms.

A Guide for the classification of hotels in Haiti

Last Thursday, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, Minister of Tourism and Creative Industries (MTIC) accompanied by Berthide Noailles, the person in charge of the national firm specialized in classification of the tourist establishments Protourism, launched the first Hibiscus Classification Guide (GCH) in Haiti.

This new reference document realized jointly by the Corporation of the Tourist Industry of Quebec (CITQ) and Protourism, is going to rate Haiti’s hotels according existing criteria held for the next Hibiscus classification campaign planned for the spring of 2016.

The GCH contains 7 main sections corresponding to the various estimated categories: rooms, bathrooms, food, interior decor, exterior of the building, services, on site activities and amenities, and sustainability of tourism.

Secretary Villedrouin mentioned that the quality required from the tourist establishments in welcoming visitors must be worthy for local as well as international tourism. "The visitors must require the nameplate of classification from the operators," supported Minister of Tourism, specifying that the Guide of Classification Hibiscus is available at the ministry for the operators so that they conform as quickly as possible.

It should be noted that the Hibiscus Classification does not take into account the quality of the service offered by establishments. However, through its Management) Training, the MTIC intends to assist the operators in the improvement of the quality of service. An entitled program "Qualicert" will soon be developed for this.

By January, 2016, the criteria contained in the Hibiscus Classification Guide will officially come into effect.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 2 décembre 2015

 Presidential Candidate Jude Celestin Says He May Not Compete in Runoff

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NOV. 27, 2015

The second-place finisher in the first round of Haiti’s presidential voting, Jude Célestin, said Friday that “no decision has been made” about whether he will take part in the scheduled Dec. 27 runoff against Jovenel Moïse, the candidate backed by the government. Mr. Célestin and seven other presidential candidates formed a coalition after asserting that the October elections and ballot-counting process were too problematic to be credible.

Evidence of massive frauds

A team of U.S.-based lawyers who witnessed last month’s Haitian elections say there is mounting evidence showing a clear pattern of systemic fraud, voter confusion and intimidation, and in some areas disenfranchisement.

The report paints a grim picture of a flawed, chaotic electoral process on Oct. 25. Not only were voting procedures inconsistently applied at poorly designed polling stations, the report notes, but the widespread use of observer and political party accreditation led to people voting multiple times and potentially accounts for as much as 60 percent of the 1.5 million votes cast.

“Without major corrective measures, these elections will represent a significant setback in Haiti’s long-struggle to consolidate democracy,” said the report based on the observations of a delegation of election monitors from the National Lawyers Guild and International Association of Democratic Lawyers Delegation.

The report’s release comes nearly a month after the vote to elect President Michel Martelly’s successor, and as the international community attempts to salvage the process amid growing and violent protest over allegations of fraud. Those accusations —political party monitors voting multiple times, ballot box stuffing and the manipulation of results at the vote Tabulation Center — have undermined many Haitians’ confidence in the announced results, despite international observers deeming them as acceptable. (Miami Herald)

Policemen injured

At least two policemen have been injured after clashes erupted between opposition supporters and police forces during a protest against presidential election results in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

One of the policemen was wounded after a protester opened fire, while the other was injured by demonstrators throwing rocks during the gathering on Tuesday.

The violence came as supporters of different opposition groups gathered to protest the results of the first round of the country’s presidential elections, which were released on Monday by the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council.

On November 24, the electoral commission said that Jovenel Moise, who is backed by the ruling party, and opposition candidate, Jude Celestin, had come out as the two top winners of the first round of the presidential election held on October 25.

The commission added that Moise had won 32.8 percent of the votes, while Celestin gained 25.3 percent.

THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY ENJOYED A THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION AT THE CARIBBEAN MARKET PLACE

By: Elsie Etheart

Miami, November 26^th 2015 – Miami celebrated Thanksgiving, along with the rest of the county, which celebrates this day every year on the fourth Thursday of November, as a day set aside to thank God for all of the blessings he has granted.

The Haitian community also had its Thanksgiving meal.

On the menu was the traditional Turkey and all of the fixings, including: mashed potato, and sweet potatoes casseroles. However, the meal had a Haitian twist – the turkey was in a Créole sauce; there was a tasso of turkey, and let’s not forget the traditional "Rice and beans.”

This year, the event did not take place at the American Legion Park, as it had in the past. Instead, it was right in the heart of Little Haiti at the Caribbean Market Place. The magnificent Gingerbread construction is hardly used, due to a lack of vendors who are able to establish themselves there, given the difficult economic conditions in the Haitian community.

So the festivities this year were held at this pleasant location on Northeast Second Avenue, adjacent to the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

The creator, of this event, Emeline Alexis Shulz, and her family celebrated their ninth edition this year, with the food being prepared by renowned Haitian chef, Fifi, and presented by servers.

One month before Thanksgiving, Emeline Alexis went on Haitian radio to promote the event, which has a special theme every year. “Victory” was the theme adopted for this year. The musical animation was provided by the group Gospel Rèv La, which came from Haiti.

About 500 people were in attendance in the large room at the Market Place, where round tables were set with white tablecloth and chairs.

About sixty leaders from the Haitian community were present, along with local and state elected officials, as well as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other the community leaders all dressed in big white aprons inscribed with “Haitian Community Thanksgiving Brunch” and traditional chef’s hats.  

They took their place on one side of the buffet table, whereas the community members in a tight line, with their plates in hand, waited to be served. The organization of the event was impeccable. There was no pushing or shoving and no raised voices. For somebody just coming from Haiti such as myself, it was impressive!

A breakfast was also served with Soup Joumou, pâté, chocolate and orange juice earlier in the day. The first part of the program was spiritual, with a catholic priest and a Haitian Pastor speaking to the audience about the necessity to give grace and thank God for the blessings received.

The second part included liturgical dances, theatrical skits, songs, and let’s not forget the traditional jokes which made the audience roar.

Then the meal was served to the audience, while about 60 public servants hurried to deliver the brunch to home-bound citizens at hospitals or at their homes.

The headliner of the day was her majesty the turkey, “KODIN.” Sadly, she was in a big iron cage, as she waited to be raffled off and eventually beheaded by her new owner. The winner of the raffle, a joyful lady, happily left with her turkey in arms. 

This year there was no wild turkey chase by the audience, the space did not allow it. Instead, there was a competition for the best turkey imitation. There was also a potato sack race, where participants had to jump over huge pumpkins, causing many falls. Those racing had to quickly get back up and continue to race, but the audience was in stiches from laughter.

Organizing such an event, has become a tradition for Emeline Alexis Schulz who is assisted by her husband Klaus, his brothers and sisters, along with numerous friends and acquaintances who all donate for the celebration. The City of Miami also contributes by providing the facility, the cleaning crew, which must put back the place to its original state prior to the party, as well as the security.

The organizers would like to express their gratitude to all those who made this year’s Thanksgiving Brunch a huge success including:

• City of Miami District 5: Keon HardemonI
• Paola Pierre (HACOF)
• Sandy Dorsainvile: Executive Director Little Haiti Cultural Center
• Publix (Aventual)
• Pasteur Joanen Floreal AKA Pastor Fanfan: Shalom Community Church North Miami
• Radio 1580am
• Build A Better Tomorrow
• Radio 1700 am
• Nuriyo Island TV
• Gabrielle Hyacinth
• Marie Etienne, DNP
• Dr .Flore Lindor-Latortue
• Marie Paule Woodson AEDAP
• Yolaine Catering (Fifi)
• Christophe Simeon
• Jan Mapou

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 9 décembre 2015

 Growing link between global warming and extreme weather

A red-flag to negotiators from 195 countries trying to broker a global climate-saving pact in Paris, the Bonn-based advocacy group Germanwatch released the 2016 Global Climate Risk Index showing those nations most affected by the direct consequences of extreme weather events.

Honduras, Myanmar and Haiti were the most afflicted by such disasters between 1995 and 2014, said the latest edition of the annual index.

Next were the Philippines, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and Guatemala.

Altogether, more than 525,000 people died as a direct result of about 15,000 extreme weather events, the report said.

Losses amounted to more than $2.97 trillion, it said.

The analysis only looked at the direct results of extreme weather, it stressed, whereas the indirect consequences of extreme weather such as drought and famine resulting from heatwaves can be much more deadly.

It shows only one piece of the puzzle and is not a comprehensive index of vulnerability to climate change, researchers stressed.

For example, the study does not take into account sea-level rise, glacier melting or more acidic and warmer seas.

A growing body of research connects global warming and extreme weather, Germanwatch said.

"The Climate Risk Index thus indicates a level of exposure and vulnerability to extreme events that countries should understand as a warning to be prepared for more frequent and/or more severe events in the future," the report said.

Germanwatch urged negotiators at the UN climate conference in Le Bourget on the northern outskirts of Paris to reach a universal deal to avert a climate catastrophe.

"Paris needs to deliver a far-reaching and durable climate regime that safeguards affected populations," it warned.

Threats to destroy Little-Haiti, community leaders warn

New Time Thursday December 3rd 2011

As the art world descends on South Florida for Miami Art Week, there's no doubt that the glitterati are shifting their gaze to Little Haiti. Everyone from New Times to the New York Times has written this year about the Caribbean neighborhood's shift as galleries flee rising Wynwood rents.

This morning, a coalition of community activists, business owners and residents had a message for developers: Little Haiti won't be the next Wynwood if they can help it.

"In the midst of this beautiful international art bonanza, in Little Haiti a different story has emerged," said Marleine Bastien, executive director of Fanm Ayisyen nan Miyami, which organized the demonstration. "This is the story of business and homeowners being pressured and threatened one minute, sweet talked the next to sell their homes. They're being offered two, three times the property of their homes to get out. Gentrification is here, baby."

Under a beating December sun, Bastien and her allies issued a list of demands on behalf of the neighborhood, ranging from the creation of an official Little Haiti cultural district to putting curbs on developers with a sustainable growth plan.

The goal? Bringing investment and jobs to the neighborhood without booting out the Haitian community who made it famous.

"We believe the cultural identify of the Haitian people and the imprint they have made in this neighborhood should be preserved," said Joan Milord, executive director of the NE 2nd Avenue Partnership. "We welcome new people to the area, but they need to recognize that Little Haiti was built on the backs of all the Haitians who came here."

…

Bastien said the list of demands released by the coalition could make a difference and avoid the downsides of a rapid transformation like in Wynwood, where many longtime residents and businesses have been priced out.

The group calls for a new community land trust to preserve space for small businesses and housing; an officially designated area for the neighborhood and a cultural district to preserve its heritage; stricter zoning laws and requirements for developers to study how their plans would impact existing residents; and a "community benefits agreement" that would set living wages for local residents and steer business toward area Haitian-American firms; and creating a Little Haiti CRA, which could use city funds to fuel sustainable growth.

"Little Haiti is changing fast and families are being displaced," Bastien said. "While we welcome and admire the art and diversity, we are greatly concerned about losing the character, the cultural history and the legacy of Little Haiti."

Kenneth Merten waits in Haiti for discussions about the electoral process

Port-au-Prince, December 3rd, 2015 [AlterPresse] – Haiti Special Coordinator from the U.S. State Department, former ambassador Kenneth Merten, is scheduled to visit  Haiti this week.

Kenneth Merten has to do his utmost to persuade the Haitian leaders to bring transparency to the elections, beginning by getting the Temporary Electoral Council to postpone the December 27^th runoff. This should be followed by an independent investigation, led by Haitians, but with the support of the international community, on the assertions of electoral frauds.

The visit of the special envoy falls within a period when anti-government protests have been gaining the streets of Port-au-Prince, to denounce the results of the presidential election of October 25th, 2015, that were tainted by irregularities and by frauds.

Among other things, the protestors are requesting the departure of President Joseph Michel Martelly  and of Prime Minister Evans Paul, as well as the resignation of the members of the Temporary Electoral Council.

Numerous sectors, including the human rights sector, are taking more and more distance from the controversial electoral process, following the deterioration of the political climate since the publication on November 24th, 2015, of the definitive results of the presidential election of October 25th, 2015.

A group of eight presidential candidates and the Fusion Political Party of Haitian Social Democrats continues to recommend a transitional government to help end this crisis.

Laurent Lamothe’s New Company: LSL World Initiative

LSL World Initiative(“LSLWI”) is a leading global organization dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of emerging countries. As a private social impact enterprise, LSLWI provides solutions to support governments in implementing their own funding mechanisms to achieve economic self-sufficiency and spur sustainable development.

Laurent Lamothe founded LSL World Initiative this year, 2015.

Laurent Lamothe is a former Prime Minister of Haiti. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he fostered a surge in direct foreign investment, tackled corruption, improved security and stability by expanding the police force by 30 percent, and implemented social programs that the World Bank study estimated raised 2 million Haitians out of extreme poverty. The 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti destroyed 1.5 million homes, Mr. Lamothe was able to reduce that number down to 85,000.

He spearheaded a free education program, which added a $1.50 surcharge to wire transfers, and generated $1 million in funding for education each month. Elementary school attendance rose from 55 to 90 percent as a result, transforming the lives of 1.4 million children.

He is now replicating this successful model on a global scale with his new company, LSL World Initiative. LSLWI has provided our partners’ capacity-building programs that have led to major improvements in the collection and management of data, reporting, accountability and usage of technology to closely monitor communities and stimulate positive change around the world. The company is currently working with the government of Rwanda to deliver programs designed to effect long-term positive change and increase the quality of life for its citizens.

LSLWI is committed to providing emerging and developing countries with innovative financing mechanisms based on the nation’s own resources that will enable them to reach their development goals while reducing reliance on foreign aid. The company ensures the timely mobilization and coordination of all human, material and financial resources required for any specific national program providing measurable impact. LSLWI works with multilateral institutions in developing countries to find the perfect match between their solutions and funding projects for development.

Carter: no sign of cancer

Carter says the scan showed no signs of the original cancer "spots" or any new ones.

The former president apparently shared the good news on Sunday with those filling the congregation of Maranatha Baptist Church for one of his regular Sunday school lessons. Jill Stuckey, a church member who helps organize Carter's popular lessons, said in a phone interview that Carter told the congregation a brain scan this week showed no cancer.

Stuckey said people filling the sanctuary applauded after Carter's announcement, while she went into the church's back hallways to spread the word to members. "Our prayers have been answered," Stuckey, also a close friend of the Carters, said. "I can't think of a better Christmas present."

Carter, 91, announced in August that he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. Doctors removed a portion of his liver and found four small tumors on his brain.

He received a round of radiation targeted at those tumors and regular doses of Keytruda. Carter has remained active during treatment, continuing his humanitarian work and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

How to transform climate change from crisis to opportunity

Jude Dessources has problems. One of tens of thousands of smallholder Haitian farmers living on the Cul-de-Sac Plain near Port-au-Prince, his everyday reality is months of drought punctuated by torrential storms or hurricanes that flood his fields and home. The result? Lost crops and economic uncertainty for Jude and his family.

Unfortunately, Jude and his fellow Haitians are not alone in this plight. According to theWorld Resources Institute, 1 billion people live in water-scarce regions and an estimated 3.5 billion people could join them within 10 years.

This trend will put extreme pressure on smallholder farming systems, which currently produce about 80 percent of the global food supply, at a time when population projections estimate 9.6 billion people by 2050.

Build resilient and prosperous economies through CSA

To help smallholder farmers like Jude break the cycle of poverty and climate shocks,Chemonics’ agriculture and food security practice is integrating climate-smart agriculture — or CSA — with inclusive market systems to build competitive industries and use social marketing to encourage increased consumption of nutritious and high quality foods.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization defines CSA as an integrated approach to address interlinked challenges of food security and climate change, along three objectives:

1. Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity;
2. Adapting and building resilience of agricultural and food security systems; and
3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

The new challenge is to integrate CSA objectives into a development approach that will protect the planet and improve the lives of farmers like Jude. Over the past 40 years, nongovernmental organizations, international donors, private sector companies and local organizations have collaborated to promote sustainable agricultural growth.

Over the past several years, for instance, Chemonics and the U.S. Agency for International Development have worked closely with local agricultural cooperatives and associations. Through this experience, we’ve developed an integrated CSA approach along the following components: to empower smallholders through technology; stabilize to re-energize degraded land; and build carbon capture ecosystems.

Empower smallholders through technology

Technology, science, and modern agricultural practices are the key to increasing smallholder farmer productivity and incomes. Drip irrigation is one constantly-developing technology thatiDE, a leader in smallholder technology solutions, has embraced. In Cambodia, iDE developed a package of support, including drip irrigation and fertigation, that doubled farmer productivity.

In Haiti, Chemonics promotes a new integrated system of hillside greenhouses, vertical farming, and drip irrigation systems that is allowing farmers to make the most out of poor water infrastructure and triple their productive seasons. Catchment systems are excellent ways to improve water infrastructure in order to collect water more efficiently during the rainy season so it can be used year-round, extending and multiplying growing seasons for many farmers.

Technological packages like the combination of greenhouses, catchments, and drip irrigation — when developed appropriately with respect to the local context — allow farmers like Jude to more efficiently harness water to get “more crop per drop.”

Stabilize to re-energize degraded land

Denuded hillsides have created an environmental disaster in Haiti, but new approaches and technologies are providing solutions. USAID funding helped Haitians rehabilitate 71 miles of ravines, plant 5.6 million trees, and build a state-of-the-art water diversion dam that has helped harness water and protect Jude and 50,000 other farmers against flooding in the Cul-de-Sac plain.

Above the plain, farmers are combating deforestation by planting trees and grasses that prevent erosion and allow more productive agriculture on the hillsides. Additionally, promoting greenhouse technology improves potential productivity, reducing pressure on land.

Build carbon capture ecosystems

According to the FAO, agriculture and land use is responsible for 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture therefore has the potential to play an important role in mitigating global emissions. According to France’s Ministry of Agriculture, a 4 percent annual increase in global soil carbon stock would stop the current increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

We have to look to no further than Iowa, a U.S. state where more than 99 percent of the native prairies have been modified, to see this principle at work.

On Nov. 20, aNew York Times op-ed reported on the dramatic steps Iowa’s farmers and leaders are taking to both enhance carbon sequestration through agroforestry and investing in renewable energy to directly reduce carbon emissions. Grant Schultz, the “mad scientist of permaculture” and owner of Versaland, an Iowan agroforestry farm, has transformed a degraded industrial corn farm into a model to revitalize agricultural ecosystems for farmers around the world to emulate.

Climate change: The shock we need to build resiliency and prosperity?

Many “climate-smart” techniques are not new, and in fact have been promoted as sound agricultural production strategies for decades. However, increases in average global temperatures, and increasing climate uncertainty, are reducing farmers’ ability to predict and to cope with changing rainfall, droughts and floods.

Perversely, this increased pressure on traditional resilience may be the shock needed to spur farmers to adopt new coping techniques and strategies that they may not have previously needed. The contemporary smallholder farmer like Jude will have to break with longstanding traditional risk-averse methods and practices, not only to survive, but permanently break the survival cycle in which millions are trapped and preserve the planet for future generations.

Planet Worth is a global conversation in partnership with Abt Associates, Chemonics,HELVETAS, Tetra Tech, the U.N. Development Program and Zurich, exploring leading solutions in the fight against climate change, while highlighting the champions of climate adaptation amid emerging global challenges. Visit the campaign site and join the conversation using #PlanetWorth.