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- Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti
More than 20 killed as boat capsizes
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – At least 22 people were killed when a boat capsized in rough waters over the weekend, Haitian officials have confirmed.
They said the incident occurred on Saturday into Sunday when the small boat left Bombardopis for the northern city of Gonaives.
Head of the maritime and navigations service, Eric Prevost, said rescuers were able to save several passengers, but do not know how many people in total were on board the vessel.
The national maritime service is continuing the search for survivors and the recovery of bodies from the shipwreck area.
Haiti will officially become a full member of the African Union next month
Haiti will officially become a member of the African Union at the next summit of the regional organization in June. According to a famous journalist from Benin, it was high time that African states make a strong gesture towards the first black republic.
The news is almost unnoticed. Until then simple "observer", Haiti, the first black republic in history, became, in early February in Addis Ababa, "full member partner" of the African Union.
This decision, the first of its kind for a diaspora country, will be formalized at the next AU summit in June-July in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi.
The African Union is the modern incarnation of the Organization of African Unity (in French OUA), started in 1963, and its vision today is to build “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”(Written from multiple sources).
U.S. To Ship Peanuts To Feed Haitian Kids; Aid Groups Say 'This Is Wrong'
Sacks full of peanuts are displayed for sale at a market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Aid groups say they are dismayed by a planned influx of American-grown peanuts from a U.S. agricultural surplus that they fear could undercut a vital cash crop in the impoverished Caribbean nation.
Dieu Nalio Chery/AP
On paper, sending surplus U.S. peanuts to feed 140,000 malnourished Haitian schoolchildren for a full year sounds like a heroic plan. Instead, it's united 60 aid groups that are urgently calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to halt a shipment containing 500 metric tons of peanuts, preventing the legumes from reaching Haiti.
The aid groups call it "crop dumping" and warn that it will deliver an economic blow to struggling Haitian peanut farmers. Critics say it's poor aid policy that will have long-term negative impacts on Haitian communities.
"This is a country where peanut production is a huge source of livelihood for up to a half-million people, especially women, if you include the supply chains that process the peanuts," says Claire Gilbert, spokesperson for Grassroots International, a Boston-based nonprofit that supports food sovereignty.
How the USDA got stuck with a pile of peanuts stretches back to the 2014 Farm Bill, which included incentives encouraging American farmers to plant more. It worked. In 2015, growers harvested 6.2 billion pounds of peanuts, and that number is expected to go up another 20 to 25 percent this year. But all that extra planting has left the USDA holding the bag, with a hefty peanut surplus.
To unload some of the excess, the agency announced a few weeks ago that it would ship 500 metric tons of packaged, dry-roasted peanuts to schoolchildren in Haiti as part of the "Stocks for Food" program, a joint initiative between the Farm Service Agency, Foreign Agricultural Services and Food and Nutrition Services.
A statement issued from the aid group Partners in Health did not mince words about the announcement: "We believe this is wrong."
The well-known aid group has been working on health and nutrition issues in Haiti for more than 30 years, including a partnership with Abbott Laboratories to manufacture and distribute a product called Nourimanba used to treat severely malnourished children.
"We're not talking about big business owners being put at risk by an input of peanuts," says Dr. Louise Ivers, senior health and policy adviser, Partners in Health. "We're talking about small, very poor farmers that are very dependent on a single crop. We really believe the dumping, or donation, whatever your perspective, will have negative consequences."
Bolivia to Be Completely Food Independent in 2020 by Investing in Small Farmers
(UR) Bolivia — How can we go about tackling climate change while promoting a flourishing local economy and ensuring food security, all at the same time? The U.N.-led 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, launched in September 2015, would have you believe we need another 15 years to reach any kind of substantial progress on these issues. But there might be a way to speed things up, and it seems this Andean country has just cracked it.
The Government of Bolivia has just invested $40 million to support small and medium farmers in food production. Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture, Marisol Solano, stated that over 20 food security projects are already underway across the country, with financial support so far being given to breeding livestock and fish farming, as well as increasing the production of crops like potatoes, tomatoes, wheat, vegetables, coffee, and cocoa.
By enhancing local capacities, Bolivia aims to become entirely self-sufficient by 2020. With an increase of 25 percent in food production reported since 2014, and the aim being to sustain this growth rate for the coming year, it seems the country is not too far off from reaching its ambitious aim.
Reducing or halting imports would not only help improve livelihoods of local farmers and businesses, it would also cut down on emissions, while addressing overarching global issues like unemployment, hunger, and poverty.
Whether Bolivia will achieve complete food sovereigntyin five yearsis uncertain. What is certain, however, is that if all our governments showed as much initiative as Bolivia to build on existing local capabilities, we would be having a very different conversation about world development issues right now.
Miami immigration lawyer Julie Ferguson dies at 49
Miami immigration lawyer Julie Ferguson worked with Haitian and Cuban charities.
She was an immigration attorney in Miami who represented a family against a member of the Pinochet regime.
Ferguson, who spoke five languages, was an expert in the field of asylum law
BY HOWARD COHEN
Julie Ferguson was a young immigration lawyer in Coral Gables when she joined a team of local attorneys and lawyers from Amnesty International to help the family of a Chilean economist murdered by the secret police of then-military leader Augusto Pinochet.
In 1999, the family had sued a Miami businessman they said was responsible for the October 1973 slaying. They looked to Ferguson, then 32. The woman who had dreamed of becoming an immigration attorney since she was a little girl found herself working the first lawsuit in the United States against a member of the Pinochet regime.
Though the court ruled against the family in 2001, Ferguson had made a name for herself in the field of immigration law.
Ferguson died in Washington, D.C., on April 21, after an accident indoors while attending a conference of Invest in the USA (IIUSA), an advocacy event for the EB-5 investor visa program. She was 49.
“Julie was a highly skilled, determined and compassionate immigration lawyer. She cared deeply about her clients and fought for them relentlessly,” fellow immigration attorney Roger Bernstein said in an obituary. “She was a tenacious litigator” who “excelled in the area of asylum law.”
The accident is still under investigation, according to her mother, Marilyn Ferguson.
SHE HAD A CALLING TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.
Marilyn Ferguson, on daughter Julie Ferguson, a Miami immigration attorney-
“She had a calling to help people in the immigrant community with immigration,” Ferguson said. “The few times she didn’t win cases she was distraught because a child was taken away from the mother and sent back. She had a lot of passion for people. That’s why she was such a wonderful attorney.”
Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, on March 15, 1967, Ferguson earned her bachelor’s in philosophy and economics from the University of Geneva in 1989. She then earned her law degree from American University Washington College of Law.
She spoke five languages — English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian, her mother said, and wrote the handbook, AILA’s Focus on Waivers Under the Immigration and Nationality Act in 2008. “She was a woman of the world,” her mother said.
(Miami Herald May 5th 2016)
FRIENDS OF MUSIC EDUCATION FOR HAITI…
In honor of our founder and Haiti’s most pre-eminent violinist, Romel Joseph, Friends of Music Education for Haiti is proud to present “Chansons Enfantines D’Haiti.” It is a special interactive concert by his daughter, Victoria Joseph, and pianist/close friend of over 25 years, Micheline Denis, in order to keep his legacy of music education for Haiti’s children alive. Over the span of his 30 year teaching career, Romel Joseph created over 150 musical arrangements of Haitian, French, American and religious songs for beginning violin as a unique tool for them to learn musical technique using familiar tunes that they learn in school. This concert series will introduce these musical treasures to you all in hopes of preserving Haitian culture and to honor his incredible contribution to Haiti’s classical music community. Special guests include Raoul Denis, Jr., Welele Noubout, Bladimir Chery, Jael Auguste, and Will Hodgson. Sponsored by FOKAL, The New Victorian School, Fondation Sogebank, and Fondation Odette Roy Fombrun.
Literature-politics: Book Signing in Miami for the autobiography "Michel Martelly" by the former head of State
During this event Martelly will be interviewed by Elizabeth Guérin, a famous radio and Haitian television personality. Following their conversation, a book signing session will take place.
In "Michel Martelly – Autobiography," which costs $50.00 (3,120 Haitian Gourdes), the ex-head of state (who ran the country from May 14th 2011 to February 7th, 2016) deals with his childhood, his adolescence and how he became one of the most influential musicians in Haiti and beyond. He also writes about the road which led to the presidency. He writes about his education, about his formative influences, and the strong convictions which guided him during his mandate.
Haiti - Diaspora: Jean Monestime launches the 16th edition of Haitian Cultural Heritage Month
On Sunday, May 1st, the President of the Miami-Dade County Commission Jean Monestime invited the community to discover the magic of the Haitian culture, the art, the music and the food, by participating in the celebration of the 16th Edition of Haitian Cultural Heritage Month.
"Haitian Cultural Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity for the residents of every nationality to come and discover the wealth of the Haitian culture," declared Monestime, the first American-Haitian elected as President of the County Commission. "I encourage you all to take part in this celebration of all the contributions that the Haitian community has made in Miami-Dade and the world,” he added. "My Haiti is a land of striking beauty, diversified by its mountains, its valleys, its lakes, its rivers and its plains and contains in itself all the elements for greatness and sustainable wealth. My Haiti is too rich to be poor."
On the itinerary among other things: six exhibits of Haitian art at the Miami International Airport’s South Terminal Gallery, the lobby of Stephen P Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street; the Cultural Center of Little Haïti, 212-260 WAS NE 59th Street; the Center of Haitian studies, 8260 NE 2nd Avenue; the Museum of Haitian Heritage, 4141 NE 2nd Avenue; and the Sant La Neighborhood Center, 5000 Biscayne Blvd. 110. The art exhibits will take place throughout May.
This year’s celebrations will take place under the theme "Haiti: See It, Live It, Love It” and will include the 4th annual edition of the "Taste of Haiti" showcasing Haitian cuisine at the "MOCA Plaza" of the City of North Miami; the 18th annual edition of the "Compass Festival" in Bayfront Park, and the 5th "Annual Haitian History Bee" at the Stephen P. Clark Center.
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- Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti
CUNY Unanimously Approves the Creation of the Haitian Studies Institute (HSI)
(Brooklyn) On Monday, May 2 at their board meeting the CUNY Board of Trustees voted to unanimously approve the creation of the Haitian Studies Institute (HSI) at Brooklyn College.
Brooklyn is home to the largest concentration of people of Haitian descent in New York State. The Institute hopes to become a leading international research institute in Haitian Studies, supporting scholars and scholarship concerned with the discipline and to connect research through community outreach around policies that affect the lives of Haitian-Americans and Haiti.
"Last week marked an important occasion in the evolution of the Haitian Studies Institute with the opening ceremony of a two-day conference hosted by Brooklyn College and sponsored by the Haitian Studies Institute planning committee. I was joined by scholars, and other public officials to celebrate their contributions to the creation of this conference and the Institute. I was elated after hearing about the Board's decision. This is a dream come true," said Assembly member Bichotte.
"The Haitian Studies Institute would not exist had it not been for the contributions of a committed group of people. I want to start by acknowledging and thanking Vice Chancellor of CUNY, Jay Hershenson, as well as Dr. Karen Gould, President, Steven Schechter, Executive Director of Governmental and External Affairs, and Dr. Richard Greenwald, Dean of the School of Humanities and the Social Sciences -- all of Brooklyn College. They were so receptive to the idea of this Institute, which had been looking for a home for many years, and finally took root here in the heart of one of New York's largest Haitian communities. I also want to thank the Executive Committee, the planning committee, the conference planning committee who put in so many hours over the past several months to bring all of this to fruition. Last, but not least, I want to thank State Senator Kevin Parker, City Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams, Dr. Jean-Yves Plaisir, and Edu Hermelyn who have been incredibly supportive as well."
4 Haitian entrepreneurs made Forbes magazine 30 Under 30 class of 2016 Among 600
Published: Thursday, 12 May 2016
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. May 11, 2016: Forbes magazine recently introduced readers to its 30 Under 30 class of 2016. Among the 600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents in 20 different sectors chosen, at least seven were born in the Caribbean or are of Caribbean roots. Meet them here:
1: Azede Jean-Pierre
Young Haitian-born womenswear designer Azede Jean-Pierre.
Young womenswear designer Azede Jean-Pierre madeArts & Style List. Jean-Pierre, 27, was born in Pastel, Haiti but raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design and in her third year decided to pursue the launch of her own label. Jean-Pierre and honed her skills interning at Ralph Rucci and Ohne Titel before branching out on her own and debuting her New York City-based label at the Fall/Winter collection in February of 20l2.
The collection, which utilized high-end luxurious fabrics, was well received by the press & was immediately photographed by some of the industry’s leading publications; landing the cover of Women’s Wear Daily after NY fashion week. Since then, Jean-Pierre’s collection has been picked up by Moda. Jean-Pierre says her label is “committed to celebrating the sensual femininity of its customer and dedicated to pushing the boundaries of functionality and innovation through exploring technique and achieving balance in wearability and design.” The label has also been featured in many more major publications and has become a red carpet favorite for several very stylish and influential celebrities like Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga and First Lady Michelle Obama.
2: Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo has Haitian roots.
Making the Music list is singer, songwriter, and dancer Jason Derulo. Derulo was born in Miramar, Florida to Haitian parents. He started singing at a young age and attended performing arts schools in Florida. The 26-year-old has sold over 50 million singles since his 2009 break out and has achieved eleven career platinum singles, including “Wiggle,” “Talk Dirty,” “In My Head,” and “Whatcha Say.” In 2015, Derulo released his single “Want to Want Me” and announced his fourth studio album, “Everything Is 4,” which was released in June 2015.
4: Christine Souffrant
Vendedy founder Christine Souffrant is of Haitian heritage.
Haitian-American, Dubai-based businesswoman Christine Souffrant made the top 30 list for Retail/e-commerce. Souffrant owns Vended International and the platform Vendedy and was born to Haitian street vendors. Vendedy is a platform for street vendors across the world to sell handicrafts using the digital economy. To fund her venture, Souffrant received support from the Clinton Global Initiative. She also reached out to her professional business network in an email, asking investors to come forward. “Vendedy,” she says, “aims to digitize the $10 trillion dollar street market economy and make it accessible to all. With over 200,000 street markets globally, there is no limit to what you will find and the stories you will share!”
5: Nedgine Paul
Twenty-nine-year-old Nedgine Paul made the list for education. Nedgine-Paul is the Haiti-born co-founder and CEO of Anseye Pou Ayiti
Twenty-nine-year-old Nedgine Paul made the list for education. She is the Haiti-born co-founder and CEO of Anseye Pou Ayiti, which seeks to raise education outcomes in rural Haiti by promoting teacher excellence and student success-rooted in Haitian culture, customs, and community. Nedgine moved to the U.S. at a young age and maintained ongoing leadership roles in community service and youth development programs, particularly within the Haitian communities of Stamford and Norwalk, Connecticut.
She has a B.A. in History from Yale College and an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2014, she was named among the top global social innovators by Echoing Green. She is passionate about joining forces with others to continue pursuing her deep commitment to the expansion of high-quality educational opportunity in Haiti.
Rihanna Sets Up Scholarship Programme For Caribbean Students
Singer Rihanna has announced a scholarship program to send well deserving students from the Caribbean, US and South America to college.
The Barbados-born beauty is awarding up to $50,000 (£35,000) through her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) for students in Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, or the US.
“To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honour,” the 28-year-old said on her new scholarship program.
“Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this.”
In order to be eligible, applicants must be residents of Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, or the US, and have already been accepted into a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States for the 2016-2017 year.
The scholarship is based on need and the number of students will vary, but the goal is to accept as many students as possible, according to the announcement.
Scholarships granted will range from $5,000 to $50,000 and may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first.
Applications for the full-tuition grant are open now through June 10, 2016.
A committee will screen 50 finalists based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal essay, and the scholarship winners will be announced by August, 2016.
In Haiti’s public hospitals, a strike still lingers but the prospect of recovery is on the horizon.
Sanitation authorities began last Thursday to distribute medicine and supplies in the public hospitals with the prospect of resuming work.
For more than a month, these hospitals were paralyzed by a strike of the residents (doctors) who demanded among other things better working conditions and a considerable increase of their salary from 7,500 gourds to 150,000 gourds.
A physical altercation between a resident doctor and the director of the hospital of the state university of Haiti brought about the strike.
Last Thursday, during the delivery material including beds, fans and medicine, the executive director, Dr. Maurice Fils Mainville said he hoped the negotiations with the residents were successful in order for the hospitals to be able to serve the public as soon as possible.
Nevertheless, the members of the labor union of health care workers wanted to add a condition before they returned to work. They are demanding a draft agreement be signed for pay raises.
They are asking for a minimum of 30,000 gourds per month (approximately $ 510 dollars a month), explaining that the small amount which they earn now doesn’t allow them to make ends meet.
The next little reassuring season of hurricanes
While the Hurricanes Season officially begins on June 1st, 2016, the Haitian government and its partners are pursuing preparation efforts and are being vigilant following some worrisome weather forecasts.
Experts at the University of Colorado are anticipating a much more active hurricane season this year, compared to 2015 when there was only one recorded hurricane - Erika. For 2016, the experts expect a total of 12 named storms, and 5 hurricanes including 2 major ones.
For Haiti, the scenario for the 2016 hurricane season could mean that approximately 500,000 people will be affected by floods and other hydro-meteorological systems. The departments of the North, the Northwest, the Artibonite and the West are particularly vulnerable in heavy rain, winds, floods and landslides.
In preparation, the national System of Risk Management is implementing several activities to limit the possible damage that the forecasted active hurricane season might bring.
THREE electoral advisers leave Haiti to go observe the elections in Dominican Republic
The President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Léopold Berlanger, vice-president, Carlos Hercule, and general secretary, Marie-Frantz Joachim, left the country, on Friday, May 13th, to go observe the general elections in Dominican Republic, on Sunday, May 15th, according to AlterPresse.
They were scheduled to return to the country Monday, May 16th.
This trip was to allow the Haitian electoral advisers to learn from the Dominican Republic’s advances in holding elections. The neighboring nation is now experimenting with the digital technology, announced the spokeswoman for the CEP, Nicole Siméon, during a press conference last week.
The electoral advisers, accompanied with the director of the electoral register, Philipe Augustin, had an opportunity to witness the process of electronic voting set up in nearby Republic, explained Siméon.
The publication of a timetable for the second round of the elections of 2015 is planned by the electoral authorities between May 15th and 31st, 2016.
Haiti-Elections: Security Council Press Statement
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep disappointment that Haitian actors failed to meet the election and inauguration deadlines agreed upon in the February 5 political accord, the Haitian-owned and -led roadmap for the swift conclusion of the current electoral cycle, and called on all Haitian actors to ensure the prompt return to constitutional order.
The members of the Security Council welcomed, however, the reconstitution of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and noted the establishment of a commission to evaluate and verify the elections held in 2015, stressing the need for the commission to be technical, apolitical, transparent, and complete its work within its 30-day mandate.
The members of the Security Council noted the increasing number of challenges Haiti faces; they can be best resolved through close coordination between a democratically elected Government, Haitian civil society, and Haiti’s international partners.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong condemnation of any attempt to destabilize or manipulate the electoral process, in particular through violence, and urged all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other actors to refrain from violence or any action that can further disrupt the electoral process and political stability, and to resolve any electoral disputes through constructive engagement and the appropriate legal mechanisms and for the Government of Haiti to hold those responsible for any violence accountable.
The members of the Council commended the Haitian National Police, with support from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), for their efforts to maintain peace and protect the civilian population.
The members of the Security Council welcomed the continued efforts of the United Nations, other multilateral agencies, regional organizations and United Nations Member States in supporting Haiti’s critical needs.
The members of the Security Council looked forward to the planned field visit of USG Ladsous in Haiti, aimed at conveying to Haitian actors the sense of urgency expressed by the Council towards a swift conclusion of the electoral cycle as well as at assessing MINUSTAH’s contribution to the overall situation on the ground, with a view towards his providing options that could inform future steps towards its appropriate configuration.
The members of the Security Council expressed their intention to continue to follow closely the situation in Haiti.
May 13, 2016
- Détails
- Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti
Deadly attack on Haiti police headquarters as tensions escalate
PORT-AU-PRINCE| BY JOSEPH GUYLER DELVA
Gunmen stormed a police headquarters in southern Haiti on Monday (16th) leaving at least six killed in a shootout and a related accident in an apparent uprising attempt days after the volatile country missed a deadline to sign in a new president.
The police chief for Haiti's southern region, Luc Pierre, said gunmen in military fatigues attacked at night in the coastal city of Les Cayes. They seized automatic weapons and killed a policeman before officers shot one of them dead.
"Gunmen in military fatigue attacked police headquarters around 2:30 a.m., they beat several police officers and took away a number of weapons," Pierre said, adding that several policemen had been wounded, one seriously.
Under a political agreement struck in February after the impoverished Caribbean nation failed to hold a runoff election, a provisional president was chosen on condition he held the delayed vote in April and hand over power by May 14.
Both deadlines were missed, and an election will only be held after a commission evaluates fraud allegations in the first round, a process likely to take weeks despite U.S. and U.N. pressure.
Suspicions about Monday's attack turned to Guy Philippe, a former coup leader wanted by U.S. authorities on cocaine trafficking charges, who this year threatened an uprising against any interim government.
Philippe denied on Monday any involvement in the attack.
One of the gunmen who was captured, Remy Teleus, told reporters that he was among more than 50 men mobilized by Philippe to take over police headquarters and the southern region.
"I was not among those who stormed the police headquarters, but I am part of a group commissioned by Guy Philippe to take over police headquarters," Teleus said, adding that the plan had not been to kill police but that the situation turned ugly.
Philippe, who is running for senate, called for peaceful protests to pressure interim President Jocelerme Privert to complete the botched elections.
Four of the gunmen died when their vehicle crashed as they were fleeing. Others wounded in the accident were arrested.
Supporters of former President Michel Joseph Martelly, who left office without an elected successor in February, have demonstrated to demand a speedy runoff.
They took to the streets on Monday to call for the departure of Privert, who they accuse of foot dragging. A few protesters threw stones and broke windows at a radio station offices.
(Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Toni Reinhold)
The African Union has 54 member states. Actually, make that 55: Next month, Haiti will officially become a member.
Yep, Haiti — in the Caribbean — will become part of Africa. It will be the first non-African country to join the AU bloc.
Culturally, though, a lot of people feel like the two are already joined.
“Haiti always calls itself ... a little piece of Africa in the Caribbean, so I think it’s only fitting that now they made it official,” said Garry Pierre-Pierre, publisher of the Brooklyn-basedHaitian Times.
“We share so much of the African culture from religious practices to the way we interact,” said Pierre-Pierre. “When I lived [in West Africa], it reminded me so much of Haiti, it was uncanny.”
The primary benefit for Haiti in joining the AU will be the economic ties.
“Haiti wants to develop a lot of industries, tourism one of them,” said Pierre-Pierre, a former New York Times reporter. “I think there are a lot of opportunities for commerce, for raw materials that are plentiful in Africa.”
It works both ways.
“As Africa develops industries it will be looking for markets, and Haiti will be one of them,” said Pierre-Pierre.
Beyond the economic ties that bind, joining the AU is for most Haitians a symbolic step — the unionhas been discussed for several years. Pierre-Pierre thinks that in 20 years, Haitians will look back on the decision and say, “What a brilliant move this was. What took it so long?”
Haitian Flag Day Celebrated in South Florida
Miami-Dade College and the Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center are celebrating Haitian Flag Day with two ceremonies Wednesday (May 18th) and Thursday.
The ceremonies are taking place at MDC's North Campus at 11380 Northwest 27th Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and at the MEEC at 6300 Northwest 7th Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.
"MDC proudly acknowledges the legacies and contributions so many Haitian Americans have made to our community," MDC North Campus President Dr. Malou Harrison said in a statement. "As we commemorate Haitian Flag Day, we hail the people of the Republic of Haiti and the diaspora for the global reach of their contributions."
Haiti - Delivery of the first urban solar power plant
GENINOV Group, a Canadian consulting engineering firm, with a subsidiary established in Haiti since 2009, has delivered to the Cellule Energie of the Ministry of Transport (MTPTC), his first complete solar system with a capacity of 100 kW to permanently illuminate the various places of Champ de Mars. The realization of this integrated high-tech system designed by GENINOV involves several renowned local and international actors. This pilot project was funded by the World Bank, which supports the actions of the Cellule Energie and Electricity of Haiti (EdH) to provide sustainable solutions to the major energy challenges of Haiti.
Enersa, specialized in the design and implementation of photovoltaic infrastructur served as the right arm in the building and installation of the required infrastructure. The solar panels provided by Yingli and other electrical accessories are secured on the roof of Ciné Triomphe with the help of specialized partners such as Greentec and Electrotech. The photovoltaic component consists of 336 modules of 305 Weach, providing a total power of 102.5 kW, which will reduce the carbon footprint on the environment by 120 tonnes annually.
The solar panels are coupled to a containerized Intensium® Max 20E energy storage system, the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries powered by Saft, a world renowned company in design and manufacture of high technology batteries for industry . This facility will store the energy collected by the solar panels during periods of sunshine to power the entire Champ deMars the day and night. The autonomy offered by this assembly is estimated at 38 hours.
The power conversion system (DRI-100) was provided by Princeton Power Systems, a US based company with global stature, specializing in the design and manufacture of technology products for energy storage and microgrid operations. Princeton Power Systems is represented in Haiti by Home Control, a GENINOV’s partner in the research and testing of alternative solutions. The integrated monitoring system EMOS (energy monitoring and operating system) provided also by Princeton allows to constantly monitor and control the installation and perform remote interventions in order to maintain a stable, optimal and efficient supply.
- Détails
- Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti
Little Haiti To Be Renamed Little Haiti
May 26, 2016
On Thursday, the City of Miami Commission unanimously passed a resolution to officially name the neighborhood between 79th and 54th streets and NW 6th and NE 2nd Avenues as "Little Haiti." To most, officially recognizing "Little Haiti" is a no-brainer and a symbolic gesture that acknowledges the impact Haitian immigrants have had on our community.
But for real estate developer Phillip E. Breckinridge, the idea of officially naming the area that has been known as "Little Haiti" for 40 years "Little Haiti" is a travesty and bad for business. He believes the area should be known by its original, non-ethnic name "Lemon City".
"We need to respect the history of the area," said Mr. Breckinridge who purchased several investment properties in the Haitian community about 5-years ago and has watched his property's values stagnate due to the continued presence of Haitians, Bahamians, and African Americans in the area.
The area was initially called Lemon City in the 1800's when it was founded by several families. Starting in the 1970's, however, the community became known as "Little Haiti" after a wave of Haitian immigrants immigrated to the neighborhood and began to build the rich and vibrant cultural community it is today.
Speaking before the City Commission, Mr. Breckinridge and representatives of his group Developers objecting to unnecessary and costly historical enactments, asked the City Commission and the people of Little Haiti to "respect history.”
When asked by the Commission to address criticisms levied at him and others that their objection to Little Haiti's recognition was really an effort to minimize the ethnic identity of the neighborhood in order to hasten gentrification and increase property values, Mr. Breckinridge balked.
"There is really nothing racist or nefarious at all about our objecting to the name "Little Haiti," replied Mr. Breckinridge before mentioning that he had "a ton" of black friends.
"This is about respect for history," said Mr. Breckinridge who noted that he also supported similar proposals to force people to start calling things by their former, out-of-use names, including one that would cause Mohammad Ali to be renamed "Cassius Clay", and another that would change the name of New York to "New Amsterdam". "This is about tradition."
After the vote, an enraged Mr. Breckinridge returned to the area now officially known as Little Haiti and, in a last ditch effort, began to spray paint the words "LEMON CITY" on every sign, wall, or marker he could find. When confronted, Mr. Breckinridge said that he would never stop his efforts to have the land renamed Lemon City, noting that in order for him to get a reasonable return on his investment he needed at least a 40% increase in white residents to the area over the next 3-years. "White people just don't want to buy luxury condos in a place called Little Haiti," said Mr. Breckinridge candidly. "It's nothing personal."
800 Academics from the Caribbean are expected in Haiti
From June 5 to June 11, 2016, the Association of the Caribbean Studies (ACS) will have its 41st annual conference in Haiti around the theme "Caribbean Movements in the world: people, ideas, culture, arts and economic durability." The launching ceremony will take place on June 5th at the Marriott Hotel.
The African Union has 54 member states. And soon 55. Next month, Haiti will officially become a member
Yep, Haiti — in the Caribbean — will become part of Africa. It will be the first non-African country to join the AU bloc.
Culturally, though, a lot of people feel like the two are already joined.
“Haiti always calls itself ... a little piece of Africa in the Caribbean, so I think it’s only fitting that now they made it official,” said Garry Pierre-Pierre, publisher of the Brooklyn-basedHaitian Times.
“We share so much of the African culture from religious practices to the way we interact,” said Pierre-Pierre. “When I lived [in West Africa], it reminded me so much of Haiti, it was uncanny.”
The primary benefit for Haiti in joining the AU will be the economic ties.
“Haiti wants to develop a lot of industries, tourism one of them,” said Pierre-Pierre, a former New York Times reporter. “I think there are a lot of opportunities for commerce, for raw materials that are plentiful in Africa.”
It works both ways.
“As Africa develops industries it will be looking for markets, and Haiti will be one of them,” said Pierre-Pierre.
Beyond the economic ties that bind, joining the AU is for most Haitians a symbolic step — the unionhas been discussed for several years. Pierre-Pierre thinks that in 20 years, Haitians will look back on the decision and say, “What a brilliant move this was. What took it so long?”
The Secretary of the Youth receives a South Korean delegation
The Secretary of the Youth, Sports and Civic Action, Abel Nazaire, received a delegation from the International Youth Fellowship (IYF), a South Korean youth organization committed to change the conditions of young people, to bring joy to their homes and transform the future in numerous countries.
New Haitian Ambassador to the OAS
Last Thursday, Luis Almagro, the General Secretary of the OAS, along with Assistant General Secretary Nestor Mendez, received the letters of credentials for the new permanent Haitian representative to the OAS, Ambassador Jean-Victor Harvel Jean Baptiste. In this post, Jean Baptiste replaces Ambassador Bocchit Edmond, who was transferred to London where he is going to represent the Republic of Haiti, after having spent four and-a-half years at the OAS.
Haitian Red Cross throws the operation anti-Zika
Last Wednesday, at the Haitian Red Cross (CRH) training center in Port-au-Prince, an anti-Zika operation was launched.
The Haitian Red Cross will mobilize a vast operation which includes, mobilizing the community, the distribution of materials and the fumigation of certain zones identified by the Ministry of Health as being vulnerable communities with regard to the Zika virus.
This action plan has the backing of the American Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross, Red Crescent and UNICEF.
It should reminded that the last time the ministry updated the media on the number of Zika cases, there were about 2,000 cases in the country at the time.
The Cholera Epidemic continues to cause fatalities in Haiti
Health authorities confirmed last week the death of 8 people who contracted cholera during the first 3 weeks of May.
Three of those deaths occurred in health facilities and the other five were in the community, indicated Katilia Pierre, a representative of the Minister of Public Health (MSPP).
Between May 1st and May 21st, a total of 1,666 cases were recorded by health institutions. Out of those, 1,397 were hospitalized, informed Pierre. She added that four departments are on red alert for having recorded at least 10 cases of cholera and one death over a one week period.
Haiti - Delivery of the first urban solar power plant
GENINOV Group, a Canadian consulting engineering firm, with a subsidiary established in Haiti since 2009, has delivered to the Cellule Energie of the Ministry of Transport (MTPTC), his first complete solar system with a capacity of 100 kW to permanently illuminate the various places of Champ de Mars. The realization of this integrated high-tech system designed by GENINOV involves several renowned local and international actors. This pilot project was funded by the World Bank, which supports the actions of the Cellule Energie and Electricity of Haiti (EdH) to provide sustainable solutions to the major energy challenges of Haiti.
Enersa, specialized in the design and implementation of photovoltaic infrastructur served as the right arm in the building and installation of the required infrastructure. The solar panels provided by Yingli and other electrical accessories are secured on the roof of Ciné Triomphe with the help of specialized partners such as Greentec and Electrotech. The photovoltaic component consists of 336 modules of 305 Weach, providing a total power of 102.5 kW, which will reduce the carbon footprint on the environment by 120 tonnes annually.
The solar panels are coupled to a containerized Intensium® Max 20E energy storage system, the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries powered by Saft, a world renowned company in design and manufacture of high technology batteries for industry . This facility will store the energy collected by the solar panels during periods of sunshine to power the entire Champ deMars the day and night. The autonomy offered by this assembly is estimated at 38 hours.
The power conversion system (DRI-100) was provided by Princeton Power Systems, a US based company with global stature, specializing in the design and manufacture of technology products for energy storage and microgrid operations. Princeton Power Systems is represented in Haiti by Home Control, a GENINOV’s partner in the research and testing of alternative solutions. The integrated monitoring system EMOS (energy monitoring and operating system) provided also by Princeton allows to constantly monitor and control the installation and perform remote interventions in order to maintain a stable, optimal and efficient supply.
- Détails
- Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti
Statement by Mark C. Toner,
Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department
on the electoral process in Haiti
Le 8 juin 2016
The United States regrets the decision by the Provisional Electoral Council to restart the presidential elections from the first round. This will increase time and resources needed to complete the 2015 electoral process and further delay installation of a constitutionally elected president. The Haitian people deserve to have their voices heard, not deferred. The United States regrets that the electoral process has extended yet again, with the president-elect unlikely to be installed before February 7th, 2017.
As noted in the June 6 Core Group statement, Haiti has an urgent need to have elected representatives at all levels of government, including at the most senior level. We look forward to the prompt seating of a democratically elected president who can work with the United States and with other partners to address the many challenges facing Haiti. The United States welcomes steps to make Haitian elections more credible and more transparent.
SANDRA HONORÉ, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL IN HAITI
Port-au-Prince, June 11th, 2016 - The special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Haiti (RSSG), Sandra Honoré, implores for all the Haitian leaders to maintain a constructive approach to insure the continuity of governance at every level and pursue the electoral process such as planned.
In this context, the RSSG expected that the Parliament will meet in National Assembly to open the second ordinary session of the legislative of the year on June 13th, as required by the Constitution.
3 FIU medical students bring healthcare mission to Haiti
BY JEFFREY PIERRE
Special to the Miami Herald
There were hundreds of people waiting outside — some since the night before, others who had walked for hours to get a good spot in line for something the average Haitian struggles to secure: a simple medical checkup.
Stevenson Chery, Yves-Dany Accilien and Samuel Jean-Baptiste, three medical school students from Florida International University, joined a team of 17 other students and medical professionals to provide physicals, dispense prescription medicine and leave behind basic instruments such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes. During their trip last year to Cap-Haïtien, a city on Haiti’s northern coast, they set up a clinic in a school and saw 368 patients over two days.
For the three Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine students — Chery, Accilien and Jean-Baptiste — the medical mission was a chance to return to their home country and help. Through a nonprofit the three formed, KORE Haiti, they’re facilitating trips for medical school students and healthcare professionals to Haiti, a country where 40 percent of the population lacks access to essential healthcare and where only 45 percent of children are vaccinated, according to a January Health Fact Sheet from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“A lot of times, nonprofits travel to Haiti and say ‘OK, this is what we’re bringing,’” said Chery, 24, a second-year medical school student. “What we found is that the most important thing is to go and talk to people and find out what they need and what they want.”
KORE returned again in April, with two groups of almost 50 students, medical professional volunteers and hired staff. They also began offering dental services for the first time, recognizing how poor oral health can impact cardiovascular conditions.
“Haiti needs a lot when it comes to healthcare,” Chery said. “Public health is a big concern. Unless the person is really sick, they’re probably not going to seek medical help.”
For Chery, his decision to become a doctor was rooted in Haitians’ lack of access to healthcare. His mother lost a baby after she was turned away at a local hospial because she didn’t have the money to pay for her care. He was about 4 years old.
“It was devastating, knowing that I could have lost my mother,’’ he says today.
The average Haitian, who lives on $1 to $2 a day, can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 to be seen by a doctor in a small clinic, said Marjorie Lozama, current chair of international affairs for the Haitian American Nurses Association’s Florida chapter.
Lozama, who has traveled to Haiti as a nurse since 2005, said there is no free care available in the country.
“So the Haitians, they usually rely on their home remedies,” Lozama said. But herbal remedies — usually taken as a tea or soup— are usually ineffective against most diseases and illnesses.
“We’ve seen some people who don’t know what hypertension, diabetes or a stroke is,” Lozama said. “Yes, we can give them three to six months of medication but what about after that, after we leave?”
In its 2016 report, USAID found that government expenditures represented only 10 percent of the funding toward healthcare in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world.
Haiti still “reports some of the world’s worst health indicators” and the country’s infrastructure was worsened after “the 2010 earthquake, which demolished 50 health centers,” according to USAID.
The earthquake, while devastating, was only part of the problem. Ten months after the Jan. 12, 2010, quake, the first cases of cholera began appearing, soon leading to an epidemic. Studies have concluded that cholera, which spreads through contaminated food or water, was most likely introduced by U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal, where the disease is endemic.
The Zika virus, too, has also impacted Haiti. In fact, researchers at the University of Florida have theorized that the mosquito-borne virus had entered Haiti in December 2015, three months before Brazilian scientists confirmed the virus in the South American country. And the KORE team encountered a rare and contained case of leprosy last year during their trip.
The KORE team hopes to combat some of these issues by persuading medical professionals to work in the country. Attracting and retaining medical professionals is a large problem, according to the USAID report, with “as few as four health professionals per 10,000 people.’’
“The professionals who are educated in Haiti are going to the [United States], Canada or going to France. They’re just leaving Haiti in general,” said Jean-Baptiste, 24. “We are coming to the country to educate people but we also want to empower people to stay and give back.”
TWO HAITIANS ADMITTED IN THE COAST GARD ACADEMY
Last Thursday, during a ceremony organized to the Embassy of the United States, the Ambassador to Haiti, Peter F. Mulrean, in the presence of Haitian government officials, including the Minister of Justice and Law and order, Camille Edouard Junior and the Director of the National Police force of Haiti, Michel-Angel Gédéon, celebrated the admission of two young Haitians, Naissa Lindsey Pierre and Pierre Erick Wawa, to United States Coast Guard Academy Class of 2020 International Cadet Program. It is the first time that Haitians participate in this program which exists since 1971.
Ambassador Mulrean congratulated Pierre and Wawa for their dynamism and their commitment throughout the selection process. He also praised the support of the various government entities, particularly the Ministry of the Interior and Collective Regions, the Ministry of Justice and the Law and Order and the National Police Force of Haiti (PNH) for the outcome of this program.
In his speech, Ambassador Mulrean declared "Today, we celebrate the beginning of a promising journey for the future two leaders of the National police force of Haiti… We also salute the commitment of the Haitian government and the office of the Prime Minister as well as the efforts of the PNH to support Naissa and Pierre throughout their studies at the academy and in their future career in the PNH. With the continuous commitment of the American and Haitian governments, Naissa and Pierre will achieve big things with the United States Coast Guard and in the PNH."
Let us recall that the Coast Guard Academy is one of the four military academies in the United States which offers four years of training in Civil engineering, Electric Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine engineering, Operational Research, Environmental and Marine Sciences, Government, Mechanical Engineering and Management. It is a program intensive from the first cycle resulting in a bachelor’s of sciences degree. The program, associated with military and leadership training, allows the graduates to assume roles of responsibility in the maritime service and in the government.
This program was opened to Haitians in 2014. In 2015, dozens of candidates applied for the program and Naissa Lindsey Pierre and Pierre Erick Wawa were the two candidates who demonstrated the capacities and the skills required to participate in it.
To be selected, the candidates have to undergo a series of examinations including the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or the American College Test (ACT) and pass the Test of English has Foreign Language (TOEFL) or English Comprehension Level (ECL).
The candidates will leave Haiti very soon to begin their training in the United States. They will return to serve their country by working in the National police force of Haiti (PNH) and the Coastal Guard.
THE ON THE ALERT NATIONAL PNH
Following information from reliable government sources, the Haitian government claims to be preparing for imminent attacks by armed commando squads against schools, public buildings and gas stations, while the Ministry of Justice decided to suspend temporarily all the gun licenses on the whole Haitian territory.
"The Ministry of Justice and Law and order, notifies the public, generally, and the interested, in particular, that, according to decision of the Upper Council of the National police force (CSPN), on June 9th, 2016, all the gun licenses are temporarily suspended, on the whole of the territory.”
“Formal instructions were given to law enforcement, with the aim of the strict application of this measure."
This measure, which will be reevaluated according to the evolution of the situation, concerns everybody, all of the country’s institutions, including the security companies, with the exception of the National Police Force and the UN peacekeeping force who are authorized to circulate with firearms, specified Minister of Justice Camille Junior Edouard. He did not want to specify if this was about organized crime or about a hidden political agenda, explaining only that this was a very well organized high-level criminal organization...
At the level of the borders, the controls were reinforced following diverse information, stating an important increase of arms dealing and the PNH is on a national alert.
This decision was poorly received by the population and business owners who expressed that criminals do not seek weapon licenses to commit their crimes. On social media, this measure is also under fire by critics, and considered as insane...
THE MAX BLANCHET BLOG
Berkeley
California
6.09.2016
HAITI – Fifty-Nine Years of Hurricanes (1954-2013)
Some facts and comments:
§ During the last 59 years, Haiti was hit by 26 hurricanes, or approximately one hurricane every 2.3 years. In the last 15 years, the frequency has increased to one hurricane every 2 years.
§ 2008 has been exceptional to date in that 3 hurricanes and one tropical storm – Gustav, Hanna, Ike and Fay -- have hit the country over a period of 4 weeks from mid August until mid September. Three hurricanes have also hit Haiti in 2007. This could very well be the result of global warming, which is projected by some researchers to increase both the frequency and strength of hurricanes in that part of the world.
§ Most of the hurricanes have been of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A Category 3 hurricane produces maximum winds of 111-130 miles per hour and storm surges of 9-12 feet above normal sea level. See the chart below for a complete definition of the 5 categories of the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The category given for each hurricane listed on the chart below reflects its strength at its peak, which did not necessarily occur while the hurricane crossed Haiti.
§ Most hurricanes (12 out of 24) have hit the Southern Peninsula or parts of it; eleven (10) have hit the northern parts of the country and the others its center.
§ The loss of human life has amounted to 18,286 fatalities, mostly in the Caribbean and the US, with 11,667 (63.8%) occurring in Haiti alone.
§ The impact on Haiti has been particularly dramatic over the years for three reasons:
i) Rapid demographic growth resulting in the doubling of the population during that time frame, from 4.7 million to 10.4 million today. Haiti’s demographic density is 385 inhabitants per square kilometer. Corresponding figures for Cuba and the Dominican Republic are 97 and 192 respectively *).
ii) A massive migration from the countryside to the cities where 50% of the population (5.2 million) reside today. In Port-au-Prince alone the population has grown from 200,000 to 3.0 million today. This has led to the chaotic growth of urban areas with flimsy construction taking place wherever land is available -- on steep slopes, dangerously close to ravines and gullies, and on flood plains.
iii) Massive deforestation: forest coverage has decreased from approximately 50% in the 1950’s to less than 2% today.
§ All in all, these hurricanes have caused economic damages amounting to 109 billion dollars (2008 US $) mostly in the Caribbean and the United States. The figures for Haiti are not available although it is worth noting that Ike has caused damages estimated at 180 million dollars in the agricultural sector alone, according to Mr. Gué, the Minister of Agriculture.
§ It is interesting to contrast the situation in Haiti with that in Cuba where a strong central government, seconded by equally strong local governments, has managed to control the grave problems confronting Haiti: rapid demographic growth, unbridled migration to the cities and deforestation. In addition, the Cuban government has been able to move large number of people to safe locations where their basic needs (shelter, security, food and health care) were met ahead of approaching hurricanes and during their passage. For example, shortly before Ike’s landfall one fifth of Cuba’s population (2.3 million) was moved to safe areas and shelters. Even large farm animals were moved to safe areas. As a result the human fatality rate in Cuba has been only a small fraction of what it has been in Haiti.
§ Unless comprehensive, effective, muscular, and sustained measures are taken to deal with these problems and the related issue of the general inadequacy of governance in the country, we can look forward to similar calamities in the future.
§ To conclude I will tell two anecdotes regarding hurricanes in Haiti. In 1954, following the passage of Hazel in the Southwest, then President Paul Magloire sent a relief czar to Jérémie to manage the reconstruction and cleanup of the area. So enraged were the Jérémiens over his insensitivity, incompetence, and corruption that they sent a telegram to Magloire asking that he be recalled. Closer to us, in 2004, Jeanne devastated Gonaïves where at the very least 3000 people died and hundreds of thousands displaced. Unfortunately, as it happened so often in Haiti, the reconstruction and cleanup work was contracted out to private firms on the basis of zanmitaj and fanmitaj with little regard for the competence of these outfits and with the predictable result that the work was poorly or not at all executed.
Will the new government learn from these lessons and do what is right in terms of initiating the monumental task of restoring Haiti’s environment in a systematic and honest manner?