We are at the FIU chapter of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) event. Guy Gachelin, Nathalie Liautaud and I were talking about our relief assistance in Haiti.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Haiti in Focus Podcast - 022 - @TheHaitian: Experiences After The Quake & Thoughts On Renewable Energy
Haiti in Focus - 022 - The Haitian: Experiences After The Quake & Thoughts On Renewable Energy.
February 17th, 2010
Haiti in Focus - 022 - The Haitian: his experience following the quake and thoughts on renewable, sustainable energy.
This week we interviewed Alain Armand, a Haitian American from Florida, who land in Haiti 48 hours after the earthquake. He shares about his journey there, what he observed as he arrived in Port-au-Prince. He worked as a bouncer and a translator in the main Port-au-Prince Hospital and talks about the shock and the horror of what he saw. His disturbing descriptions share what we would rather not see. He ends our time together by explaining that he believes that Haiti needs outside oversight in the rebuilding and that the most important thing they can get out of this is renewable, sustainable energy. You can find out more about Alain at http://thehaitian.com.
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Haiti in Focus - 021 - What is going on in Haiti? We reconnect w/Alice Backer (Global Voices) Pt. 2
February 9th, 2010
Haiti in Focus - 021 - What is going on in Haiti now? We reconnect with Alice Backer, former Editor of Global Voices Part 2
We continue our discussion by looking the types of shelter the displaced Haitians are living in and the targeted bulldozing that is supposed to be happening. We also clarify how badly different sections of Haiti were hit and what people call Port-Au-Prince. We talk more about the first responders to the earthquake. We look at the media presence that is still down there. We share our thoughts on the %u201CIdaho 10%u2033, the ten missionaries that were accused of child trafficking Last we talk about the many nations involved in debt forgiveness of Haiti.
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Haiti in Focus - 020 - What is going on in Haiti? We reconnect w/Alice Backer (Global Voices) Pt. 1
February 8th, 2010
Haiti in Focus - 020 - What is going on in Haiti now? We reconnect with Alice Backer, former Editor of Global Voices (Part I)
Due to listener questions and comments, we decided to invite Alice Backer back to chat about her experiences since we last talked with her. This is Part 1 of that interview.
We started off by talking about how representative Citizen Media is of the country of Haiti, and therefore its value. She discusses how Citizen Media though used by those with education and money still has value and provides a different perspective than what the major news networks provide. She goes onto talk about the challenges of bringing Citizen Media to those in poverty and helping to get their voices heard. She discusses how social media has helped in a post quake Haiti. She talks about the New Haiti Project (link is below.)
We also talk about who is in charge of Haiti right now. The dilemma of this ambiguity and how it has impacted those most affected by the earthquake. Alice talks about how this has played into the distribution of aid. She also looks into why aid has been so slow in reaching the Haitian people. She talks about how the Red Zone plays into this and how the assignment of such zones is many times political.
She postulates what can be done to get the aid moving faster and how targeting the tent cities should be the areas to start. This of course not to say that there are not/were not other areas affected.
Alice Backer%u2019s blog:
http://www.twitter.com/kiskeacity
Alice Backer article about Haitian-American volunteer Regine Zamor (Global Voices):
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/01/31/global-voices-in-haiti-talking-to-volunteer-regine-zamor/
http://newhaitiproject.ning.com/
Rachel Maddow Show segment on history of Haiti%u2019s debt and current debt cancellation proposal:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/34928496#34928496
Salon.com article showcasing Haitian expert who predicted quake:
Article about how Haitians provided first response to quake:
Translation of recent Miami Herald interview by President Rene Preval:
http://kiskeyacity.blogspot.com/2010/02/preval-on-his-legacy-translation-of.html
http://www.francotechnogap.com/
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Haiti in Focus - 019 - The real story of Haitian relief efforts: Our interview with Alice Backer
January 27th, 2010
Haiti in Focus - 019 - Want the real story on the Haitian relief efforts? Our interview with Alice Backer, former Editor of Global Voices, in Port Au Prince.
Haiti in Focus had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Alice Backer, former Global Voices Editor for french-speaking world, and who is currently on a mission from Global Voices to help Haitians with Citizen Media in and around Port Au Prince, Haiti. We caught with her in Petionville, Port Au Prince at a place called Cafe de l%u2019Europe. Although Skype got wiggy on us at times, we had a surprising good signal and more importantly had a wonderful discussion.
She gave the real story of the earthquake aftermath. She not only shared her background and how she got into Haiti (since no commercial flights are flying into Port Au Prince), but what the news has shown and not shown us regarding the situation there. She talks about the importance of hearing not only what CNN and the networks are saying, but hearing the voices of the citizens of Haiti, those whom have largely been ignored by the media. We have provided many of those links below sent to us courtesy of Alice Backer.
She also shares the disturbing news that many Haitians have not been seeing the relief reaching the Haitian people. On a positive note, she talks about the debt cancellation of Haiti%u2019s debt being considered by many nations.
If you want to find out more about Alice Backer, please visit her blog here and visit her Twitter.
***********
List of Tweeters tweeting live from Haiti assembled by Georgia Popplewell of Global Voices Online:
http://twitter.com/georgiap/live-from-haiti
Recommended Haitian Tweeters from the ground to follow:
Port-au-Prince:
http://twitter.com/carelpedre (Carel P�dre)
http://twitter.com/RAMhaiti (Richard Morse)
http://twitter.com/thehaitian (Alain Armand)
http://twitter.com/fredodupoux (Fr�d�ric Dupoux)
http://twitter.com/kiskeacity (Alice Backer)
From Jacmel:
http://twitter.com/yatalley (Yael Talleyrand)
http://twitter.com/melindayiti
Global Voices Online Haiti coverage page:
http://globalvoicesonline.org/specialcoverage/haiti-earthquake-2010/
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Monday, February 22, 2010
@shaunking + Howard University School of Law + St.Paul's Baptist Church = 300 tents.
LaDonne Lankster February 22 at 7:13pm Alain, Just want you to know--I first learned of Shaun King through your
updates on facebook. My friend Milan Ford placed a link to Shaun's
website on Milan's blog, and I clicked on it and learned about his
tremendous work. Then I connected the dots and remembered what you
said about him. I serve as the Global Missions Director for a large church in
Richmond, and we've been collecting money and medical supplies for
Haiti. Based on all that I've read and your personal testimony, I was
able to present Shaun's efforts to our pastor (Lance Watson), and as a
result, we purchased 300 (EXCELLENT) tents through ahomeinhaiti.org
Thanks so much for keeping a spotlight on the struggle. Have a great day!
LaDonne
HUSL 00
updates on facebook. My friend Milan Ford placed a link to Shaun's
website on Milan's blog, and I clicked on it and learned about his
tremendous work. Then I connected the dots and remembered what you
said about him. I serve as the Global Missions Director for a large church in
Richmond, and we've been collecting money and medical supplies for
Haiti. Based on all that I've read and your personal testimony, I was
able to present Shaun's efforts to our pastor (Lance Watson), and as a
result, we purchased 300 (EXCELLENT) tents through ahomeinhaiti.org
Thanks so much for keeping a spotlight on the struggle. Have a great day!
LaDonne
HUSL 00
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Strategic Plan for National Salvation
Full text on-line
Now available in printed version, 85 pages
English summary
Summary | Table of contents
Members of the Haitian democratic intelligentsia propose a Haitian-led reconstruction bank with wide powers and international support to fund the rebuilding from the earthquake, and couple that short-term proposal with a detailed plan to substantially modernize Haiti over twenty-five years, raising it to the level of its Caribbean neighbors. The planning process began at the August 2009 Conference for a Strategy of National Salvation held in Santo Domingo bringing together some sixty Haitian intellectuals, former officials, and politicians. After the earthquake the drafting committee added the reconstruction bank and trimmed the ambitious development goals.
The plan is termed %u201Can inter-generational pact for progress and shared prosperity, 2010-2035.%u201D Its slogan is %u201CTogether We Will Build a Country for All on a New Foundation.%u201D
In the words of the authors, %u201CAfter the nightmarish day of January 12, 2010 we must think of how to rebuild the country and put it on the rails of development, modernization, and democratic governance.%u201D After the earthquake, the population would need to be more rationally spread around the country. With the lack of domestic resources, enormous foreign aid and investments of all types would be needed%u2013a veritable Marshall Plan.
In any such plan, the authors propose, it would be as much in the foreigners%u2019 interest as Haiti%u2019s that the Haitian side proceed from a concerted long-term plan of its own devising, such as the Strategic Plan for National Salvation. Trying to manage it on an ad hoc basis, the method used to date, would be both expensive and ineffective. Ad hoc management has not improved the situation of the population despite the enormous amounts spent. The international community should review its strategy and make good the rhetoric of President Obama proposing a strategic partnership with Haiti. Haitians do not want to be dependent on humanitarian aid; they want to develop and stand on their own. The Strategic Plan is a tool to enable the aid donors to get tangible and visible results.
Reconstruction Bank
Given that 50 percent of Haitian businesses were knocked out in the earthquake, and that the government is incapable, the reconstruction bank, or International Bank of Development and Reconstruction of Haiti, would add capable Haitian management to what would otherwise necessarily be a foreign-dominated process. The bank would have full control over its internal operations which would apply professional banking norms. The board would be run by the investing multilateral development banks. It would have absolute protection from disruptive Haitian politics. The president of the bank would be a competent and experienced Haitian.
The bank%u2019s portfolio would lean toward development projects. It would be deeply involved in road and residential construction, airports, and coastal navigation. Emergency reconstruction to recover from the earthquake is estimated at five years and is confined to the three hardest-hit departments. The situation calls for decentralization so that the people in the other departments can get on with their lives without waiting for decisions from the disabled capital. To demarcate the emergency area is also important to limit the portion of aid that is strictly for charity. The backbone of the economy cannot be built by charity however well-meaning. The plan for national salvation posits a new Haiti that will stand on its own feet.
Plan%u2019s zeal to change Haiti
The plan in its zeal to change Haiti is based on the values of democracy, progress and humanity. It bills itself as a realistic intellectual effort to conceptualize the modernization of Haiti. It lays out the choices to make and routes to follow to restructure the society, re-found the state, clean up the country, promote economic growth, restore the environment, manage demographic pressure, fight poverty and exclusion, integrate the whole territory, and respect human rights including those of women and their access to public policy.
The plan puts the comprehensive development of Haiti above such traditional divisions as right/left, black/mulatto, bourgeois/proletarian, rich/poor, intellectuals/illiterates, or peasants/city dwellers, as well as above the quarrels of politicians. The plan is conceived as an intellectual representation of Haiti%u2019s future guided by the general interest. The new team of political leaders who would put this vision into effect would have to take into account the complex interdependence of politics, the economy and society both internally and abroad.
Beyond the reconstruction bank, the plan is %u201Cinter-generational,%u201D for twenty-five years, because in the words of the economist Louis Dupont,
Long-term planning is essential to a developing country because increases in productivity depend in good part on human capital, on improving the education of the work force by establishment of centers of scientific and technical training which in the best of cases requires a generation.
Building on Predecessors
The Strategic Plan for National Salvation builds on a series of previous plans:
a) United Nations Development Program (UNDP), La bonne Gouvernance : Un d�fi majeur pour le d�veloppement humain durable en Ha�ti, 2002
b) Center for Free Enterprise and Democracy (CLED), Ha�ti 2020 %u2013 Vers une Nation Comp�titive, 2003.
c) UNDP, Rapport National sur le D�veloppement Humain - Ha�ti, 2004
d) Marc L. Bazin, Sortir de l%u2019impasse %u2013 D�mocratie, R�formes et D�veloppement, 2006
e) Document de Strat�gie Nationale pour la Croissance et la R�duction de la Pauvret� -- DSNCRP (2008-2010) %u2013 Pour r�ussir le saut Qualitatif, 2007
f) Commission Pr�sidentielle sur la Comp�titivit�, Groupe de Travail sur la Comp�titivit� %u2013 Une Vision Partag�e pour une Ha�ti Inclusive et Prosp�re, 2009
All of these reports contain positive elements for reorganizing Haiti socially, economically and financially, even if none could be expected to anticipate a disaster of the magnitude that occurred. Certain of them such as Marc Bazin%u2019s (a major participant in the originating Conference for a Strategy of National Salvation) explicitly address the political problem of state reform. This is the first subject tackled by the present Strategic Plan for National Salvation. The plan defines a clearly-articulated state structure that could not be manipulated by a president%u2019s whim. Most importantly, Haiti has alternative, capable political forces both internally and in its diaspora. We are not starting from zero.
State Reform
The plan is divided into two parts: reform of the state, and development of the economy and society. Under state reform the plan begins with an exhaustive overhaul of the legal structure, retaining, however, the constitution of 1987. Far from disposing of the constitution the plan calls for finally enacting the laws it foresees. From the powers of the president to those of local government a thorough-going modernization of the code and regulations is proposed: %u201CPas de loi, pas de progr�s!%u201D Special emphasis is given to promoting decentralization by giving local government dedicated revenue sources and a defined legal framework.
As the plan notes, the 1987 constitution with its call for a strong and stable state answering to all the citizens is the legal foundation for reform A consolidation of executive departments is proposed in which five of seventeen would be eliminated. Professional qualification would become the criterion for government recruitment. Men and women would have parity. Pointedly, preference should be given to %u201Crisk-takers%u201D with a sense of public service in hiring for government jobs. The administration must be responsive to the public. An administrative hot line would enable members of the public to track their cases. One official would be clearly identified with each case and would be accessible for personal meetings; institutions would have to put in place plans to handle periods of heavy demand. Internet log-in sites would be created to facilitate access to the public administration in the most remote parts of the country.
The document lays stress on the dissemination of what it calls %u201Crepublican values,%u201D attempting to instill %u201Cprinciples and values%u201D into state offices. Government officials would have to learn a new sense of responsibility. Their efficiency would be compared to their counterparts in private enterprise. They would learn from good practices elsewhere in Haiti and the Caribbean. They would also be invited to government seminars on decentralization.
The Police
The Haitian National Police would be overhauled with a view to matching authority with accountability and so improving the image of the police among the population. A clear demarcation of areas of responsibility was needed between police headquarters, district stations, and individual officers. The police would use networks in the society to gather information and improve intelligence capabilities. %u201CThey would open regular channels of communication between the police and the people so that each citizen could become an informant in the service of stability and social peace.%u201D There would be a regular dialogue with public-opinion leaders, religious leaders, school principals, and advocacy groups to foster responsible social behavior and a culture of tolerance among the population. There would be instilled in the police a structure of participation without destroying the chain of command in order to integrate the police psychologically and socially, create a sense of solidarity and respect for the law which would better equip them to carry out their mission.
Opening to the Diaspora
In the new, more vigorous diplomacy proposed by the document, dual citizenship of Haitians living abroad would be recognized. At the same time, the unity of the diaspora would be promoted as would their patriotism and love of Haiti. The capital, technological skills, and expertise of the diaspora would be tapped for Haiti%u2019s internal development and expansion of markets abroad. Haitians attaining high positions and professional experience in Western companies and laboratories would be encouraged to return to update Haitian technology and organize Haiti to compete for foreign sales.
Haitians abroad could vote in Haitian elections and participate in politics. They would also be put in touch with Haitian embassies and consulates and formed into pressure groups to influence foreigners%u2019 policy toward Haiti. Haitians returning would be reinserted into society and encouraged to start businesses.
Judiciary
The Haitian judiciary, the document notes, has been the subject of foreign reform efforts since 1994 with indifferent results. For Haiti%u2019s modernization nothing was more important than to have a state of law, truly-functioning courts, and equal justice for all. Starting from the top, the vacant post of chief justice of the supreme court should be filled. Judges%u2019 remuneration should be adequate and transparent. Corruption should be countered by expanded powers for an inspector-general and simplification of procedures for citizens%u2019 complaints, while retaining penalties for false accusation.
Economy
The Haitian economy grew 5 percent annually between 1970 and 1979, only to falter in the 1980s and completely collapse in the 1990s. The earlier success rested on the price of coffee, massive foreign aid, tourism, remittances, and the assembly industry. Then came hurricanes, the slaughter of the Haitian pig, military coups, economic embargo, and another decade and a half of political instability. Per-capita GDP dropped by half. Poverty spread everywhere.
To change this reality one had to change economic policy. The new team would have to reduce the deficit, encourage savings, control inflation, stimulate private investment, modernize state corporations and increase jobs.
The action would begin in parliament with a law setting out a strategy of accelerated growth. The government%u2019s discretionary funds would be put under strict control. Each department would publish accounts. The fiscal year would be made the same as the calendar year. There would be special surveillance for the pension and retirement funds and insurance plans.
Fiscal policy would permit the state to find the means to finance its activities. Tax collection would be strengthened and exemptions reduced or eliminated. The informal sector would begin to be taxed. The state would get in the lottery business. Customs collection would tightened up. Fraud and corruption in the state enterprises would be prosecuted.
Monetary policy would counter inflation. The law requiring transactions to be in the national currency would be enforced. Foreign-exchange vendors would be required to be certified and submit reports. To boost the balance of payments export markets would be pursued, diaspora remittances would be as much as possible directed to growth enterprises and job creation, retirement communities for diaspora of means would be promoted, and foreign direct investment would be courted.
There would be a crackdown on fraud and economic crimes. Payments to government officials would be traceable. Accountants would be certified. Magistrates would be trained on economic topics. Real-estate sales procedures would be improved.
Monopolies would be broken and competition enhanced. Stocks of food, gasoline and medicines would be maintained against gouging. Import-substitution industries would be encouraged.
Businesses would be made easier to start. Sole proprietorships would be aided. Infrastructure improvements in electricity, potable water, ports, airports, and roads would make it easier to do business. Remote rural localities would be connected to the main roads.
The goal would be investments at 30 percent of GDP creating an annual growth of 6 percent. Other instruments, covered below, such as a national development bank and an investment fund would finance infrastructure. Measures would be taken to liberalize credit. An insurance fund would cover 50 percent of innovative projects undertaken by youth.
Transportation companies on land, sea and air would be encouraged. Engineers from the diaspora and low-wage countries such as Russia and Eastern Europe would be used in industry. Special economic zones would be created for boat-building, mechanical industries, and vehicles.
Mining would be rationalized.Unemployment would be tackled by major infrastructure projects including railroads, housing, highways, and regional ports and airports. Labor-intensive industries would be encouraged. Employment agencies would be helped. The unemployed would be encouraged to start their own businesses. Incentives for retail employment with public-sector financing would be created.
Tourism
The Strategic Plan singles out tourism as a priority sector for the new governing team. It once generated $50 million a year for Haiti, more than 20 percent of all exports. Tourism would contribute much to helping the nation meet the challenge of social and economic development, especially in the area of creating income and reducing unemployment and poverty.
Haitian youth would learn tourism and the hotel industry. Professionals in the field would share their skills. Professional certification would be developed. Statistical gathering would be improved to track trends in the industry.
For financing tourism, strategies would be pursued to attract foreign and domestic investment in hotel chains, theme parks, and retirement communities. To increase volume, affordable tour packages in Haiti would be marketed to the middle class of developed countries. Historical sites and monuments would be rehabilitated. Local governments would be involved. A tourist police would be set up. Eco-tourism would be developed. Aggressive marketing would be carried out abroad including tourist agencies and facilities. Information would be placed on the Internet. Cultural festivals would be organized. Tourist information centers would be placed in the major tourist sites. %u201CHaiti%u201D as a distinct destination in the Caribbean would be promoted. Haiti would be represented at international exhibitions. Contracts would be signed with advertising agencies. The media would be included in campaigns for %u201CDestination Haiti.%u201D The diaspora, the intellectuals, the youth and the artists would all be encouraged to promote Haiti%u2019s image. Positive reports in the media would be reprinted and distributed.
Environment
On paper, many initiatives for the environment have been taken. An environmental ministry was created in 1994. It has remained an empty shell. Again in 1999 many plans and projects arose. The impression was given that the government had made the environment a priority. In fact all the plans were abandoned. The second Pr�val administration did not make it any sort of a priority.
The spread of slums in residential neighborhoods, the building of houses in unsuitable locations, rapid deforestation and consequent erosion, forest fires, unsanitary conditions in the cities, pollution, devastating floods and hurricanes are commonplace in national life to the point of threatening our existence. The Strategic Plan for National Salvation envisages establishing a democratic state and a new team of government aware of the gravity of the situation and equal to the challenge. Environment will be a top priority.
The citizens who want change must take control of the levers of policy to stop the impending catastrophe. There is an emergency and it is time for action! Ren� Pr�val, in power for a second time, has done nothing on the environment. We are faced with a catastrophe that threatens to swallow us all. It is the duty of the new authorities arising from the next elections to take control of the related issues of development and environment.
We propose as a strategic input making the environment an instrument in the fight against poverty. The environment must figure in every government policy. The ministry must be strengthened and public-private partnerships established.
Public-education campaigns must be introduced. Early-alert facilities should be created and the public warned in a timely manner. National disaster-management capabilities must be upgraded.
The public needs to be persuaded to protect the forests. Education in replanting is a priority. State agencies must be empowered against illegal logging. Reforestation must be prioritized. Create alternative projects for the rural poor to counter logging. Develop alternative energies to reduce use of charcoal. An aggressive plan to replace charcoal and wood in bakeries, ironing, and cooking in the twenty-five most important towns over the next five years should be implemented. Wind, solar energy, and propane gas should be promoted.
The imbalance caused by centralization in Port-au-Prince and resultant vulnerability would be lessened by creating regional poles of development each with their distinct industries connected by main roads to the rest of the nation. Multi-mode transport, not just by road but by sea and air, would be promoted. A railroad should be built to the Dominican Republic.
Agriculture
The model followed in agriculture has proved more than counterproductive, it has been a disaster. Land productivity has plummeted and natural resources have been degraded. The ancient ecological equilibrium that kept the soil fertile has been disrupted by population pressure and climate change.
Agriculture is a vital sector to save. Despite its weak productivity compared to the Dominican Republic, it accounts for 23 percent of GDP. Sixty-six percent of the working population is in agriculture. Almost 60 percent of the population lives in the countryside. Not only does it afford work to such a large number but it also unites the peasant with his green space and self-identity, making it a social as well as economic priority.
Investment in agriculture is an investment in national security. It promotes internal security while stemming the outflow of migrants. It rescues the peasantry. It promotes tourism as a contributor to growth and economic development.
Haiti imports necessities and products to feed its inhabitants. The country has the assets to make agriculture a motor of development and an instrument in the fight against poverty. It can make agricultural profitable: a huge proportion of the rural population is young, most production is organic, there is considerable biodiversity, there are underused water resources and there is great eco-tourism potential. What is lacking is investment and political will.
Higher world prices for agricultural products and the country%u2019s food dependence equally argue for investment. Agriculture currently consists of 600,000 small lots averaging 1.8 hectare each. The subdividing and pressure on the land reduces productivity and hurts the prospects of an economically competitive agriculture able to feed the nation and remain ecologically viable.
Agriculture must be placed in a sustainable economic strategy aimed at recovering the nation%u2019s ability to feed itself. Let Haiti make the best of what it has.
No political group that wishes to change the conditions of life of the Haitian population can disregard agriculture.
The agricultural work force is aging. More than half are fifty or older. Without modernization and insertion of youth in the sector the country risks losing all of its agricultural know-how, as in the cultivation of cane after the closing of the sugar plants. There is high risk of losing this know-how!
The twin tasks are to guarantee the population%u2019s food security and to find markets for agricultural exports. Agriculture must recover the internal market and export the surplus.
The goals are:
1. Assure production to feed the population
2. Sustain the small family farm
3. Support traditional small truck farming, orchards, and livestock without impeding economies of scale when conditions arise
4. Improve the standard of living of farmers while still bringing in foreign exchange
5. Assure agricultural credits
6. Extension agencies to upgrade farm and livestock quality
7. Assure quality inputs
8. Assure animal health
9. Preserve natural resources
10. Make agriculture an economic motor
11. Micro credit to poor women to augment production
12. Irrigation and farm roads
13. Social, sanitary, and economic facilitiesEducation
As of 2006, five hundred thousand Haitian children of school age were totally without schooling. Meanwhile, the extension of private and religious schools to make up the deficiencies of the state had not brought an increase in quality. Education is a profitable investment for the society and the individual.
In higher education, twenty thousand Haitian students were in universities in the Dominican Republic at a cost of $100 million a year. This sum could be gained for the Haitian university system. The state university of Haiti had a budget of only $12 million, with which it could not reach international standards. The practice of theoretically offering free education to all comers denies the university the revenue from middle-class and better-off families who could afford the cost of a state university.
Electricity
The electricity sector is a microcosm of the larger problem of poverty. Haiti sells only 45 percent of the electricity it produces. The rest is stolen or wasted. Only 25 percent of the population has access to electricity. Attempted solutions have wrestled with the question of whether to privatize the industry, but ideologically the society is not prepared to accept privatization. More recently it has become evident that public-private partnership is the way to go.
The Strategic Plan posits an annual growth of 5 percent increasing production from 550 Gwh before the earthquake to 2,200 Gwh in twenty years, an increase of 400 percent. This would require an investment of $1.2 billion over fifteen years. That would satisfy 90 percent of the industrial and commercial demand and 60 percent of the residential. The first fifteen years of investment could not be profitable to the electric company, it must be covered by the state. At that point the sector would enter into the black.
Finance
To finance the development of Haiti, the Strategic Plan calls for innovative, nontraditional approaches using Haiti%u2019s own resources. It cites the success of South Africa and Mali with national development banks. Such a bank could handle the remittances of the diaspora to Haiti and attract part of the savings accounts of diaspora depositors. Haiti could look to South-South linkups with other national development banks and ethnic funds to finance large projects such as highways, airports, and housing developments.
Although the plan%u2019s projections of diaspora investment are clearly optimistic, it is true that the advent of a new modern team to government in Haiti could transform diaspora attitudes creating a solidarity seen in other Third World countries.
At the original conference for a strategy of national salvation, former finance minister Marc Bazin said, %u201CHaitians have a poor concept of foreign aid. Their method is to make an inventory of our needs and present the bill to the donors.%u201D
The Strategic Plan emphatically avoids this mistake. It energetically seeks to maximize Haitian sources as well as attract foreign loans and investment.
Conclusion
Haiti after January 12, the day of the earthquake, must become a different country. The Strategic Plan offers a road map to coordinate the smaller plans, programs and projects the country will undertake in the coming years. The earthquake demands an intensive mobilization of the nation, diaspora, international lenders, and friendly countries. Haiti has great potential. It has the qualified men and women who in agreement with the international community can answer the challenge of underdevelopment. To help Haiti recover is to join with and recognize the dynamism of its people who have a sense of the common interest and have never given up their faith in democratic institutions. To help Haiti is to lend solidarity to the two-hundred-year struggle of the people against corrupt, authoritarian, obscurantist, incapable, and purposeless rulers. To help Haiti is to support its people in their effort to form a political and economic leadership that is enlightened, entrepreneurial and open-minded.
Editorial Committee
Rudolph Henri BOULOS, Coordonnateur g�n�ral
Sauveur Pierre �TIENNE, Conseiller politique
Guichard DOR�, Conseiller technique
Leslie J.-R. P�AN, Conseiller �conomique
Marc L. Bazin, Conseiller � la Coop�ration externe
Jean-�rich REN�, Conseiller � la Logistique
Lucie Marie-Carmel AUSTIN, Conseill�re � l%u2019�ducation
Ray H. Killick, Conseiller � l%u2019Ing�nierie organisationnelle
Jessie CAMEAU COICOU, Conseill�re � la S�curit� </p>
Irvelt CH�RY, Conseiller � l%u2019Organisation et � la Diffusion
Robert BENODIN, Conseiller � la Communication
February 7, 2010
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Presentation of the Strategic Plan for National Salvation
IntroductionPart I: Reform of the State
Chapter 1: Strategic Inputs for Modernization of the State
Chapter 2: Strategic Inputs for Legislative Reform
Chapter 3: Strategic Inputs for Judicial Reform
Chapter 4: Strategic Inputs for Defense and National Security
Chapter 5: Strategic Inputs for Foreign Policy and Aid Coordination
Part II: Free Up Growth and Promote Socio-economic Development
Chapter 6: Strategic Inputs for the Economy
Chapter 7: Strategic Inputs for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Chapter 8: Strategic Inputs to the Tourist Industry
Chapter 9: Strategic Inputs to Manage the Environment, Development, and Natural Resources
Chapter 10: Strategic Inputs for Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries
Chapter 11: Strategic Inputs for Public Health
Chapter 12: Strategic Inputs for Education, Vocational Training, and Scientific Research
Chapter 13: Strategic Input to Restore the Electricity Sector
Chapter 14: Strategic Inputs for Financing Development
Chapter 15: Economic Framework of the National Salvation Plan
Conclusion
Chapter 1: Strategic Inputs for Legislative Reform
Strategic Input I: Legislation for reform and modernization of the state
Strategic Input II: Legislation for defense and national security
Strategic Input III: Legislation on the economy
Strategic Input IV: Legislation for the tourist industry
Strategic Input V: Legislation for long-term development and protection of natural resources
Strategic Input VI: Legislation for agricultural development
Strategic Input VII: Legislation for public health
Strategic Input VIII: Legislation for education, vocational training, and scientific research
Strategic Input IX: Legislation for modernization of the society
Strategic Input X: Legislation for reform of the law and judiciary
Chapter 2: Strategic Inputs for Modernization of the State
Strategic Input I: Revise the organization of the executive departments to improve focus and efficiency
Strategic Input II: Modernize the legal and institutional structure of the central administration
Strategic Input III: Coordinate operations to improve efficiency
Strategic Input IV: Guarantee equal access to government servicesStrategic Input V: Increase quality of public management
Strategic Input VI: Promote mobility of personnel
Strategic Input VII: Assure quality public services
Strategic Input VIII: Instill principles and values
Strategic Input IX: Revitalize local administration
Strategic Input X: Finish the legal framework and launch a policy of decentralization
Strategic Input XI: Construct and repair public buildings
Chapter 3: Strategic Inputs for Judicial Reform
Strategic Input I: Reorganization to make the judiciary perform
Strategic Input II: Strengthen links among the separate parts of the judiciary
Strategic Input III: Clear away obstacles to equal justice for all
Chapter 4: Strategic Inputs for Defense and National Security
Strategic Input I: Reconstitute the armed forces to assure national security
Strategic Input II: Protect the territory against aggression
Strategic Input III: Deploy the marines and air force in the service of the nation
Strategic Input IV: Reinforce domestic security to buttress the economy and society
Chapter 5: Strategic Inputs for Foreign Policy and Aid Coordination
Strategic Input I: Use the diplomatic service to promote peace and development
Strategic Input II: Factor into aid coordination the changes in international policy and economics
Strategic Input III: Use the diaspora to strengthen Haiti%u2019s outreach to the world
Chapter 6: Strategic Inputs for the Economy and Society
Strategic Input I: Strengthen economic governance to stimulate growth
Strategic Input II: Promote industry to create jobs and facilitate economic development
Strategic Input III: Use job-creation and economic activity as weapons against poverty
Chapter 7: Strategic Inputs for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Chapter 8: Strategic Inputs to the Tourist Industry
Strategic Input I: Give the country an effective tourism policy
Strategic Input II: Strengthen institutional and professional capacity for tourism
Strategic Input III: Revive tourism and treat it as a leading economic sector
Strategic Input IV: Advertising and marketing to promote tourism
Chapter 9: Strategic Inputs to Manage the Environment, Development, and Natural Resources
Strategic Input I: Strengthen institutions and policies to manage the environment and natural resources
Strategic Input II: Make basic services accessible to the public
Strategic Input III: Integrated management and efficient use of natural resources
Strategic Input IV: Manage the local and global environment in conformity with international treaties
Strategic Input V: Create transportation infrastructure to connect the various parts of the country
Strategic Input VI: Identify financing mechanisms for long-term development
Chapter 10: Strategic Inputs for Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries
Strategic Input I: Make agriculture a pillar of growth and development
Strategic Input II: Relaunch agricultural production to assure food security and economic competitiveness
Chapter 11: Strategic Inputs for Public Health
Strategic Input I: Improve the well-being of the population
Strategic Input II: Mental health policy to better assure the security of the population
Strategic Input III: Effective population policy for human developmentStrategic Input IV: Eliminate social exclusion by effective social and urban policy
Chapter 12: Strategic Inputs for Education, Vocational Training, and Scientific Research
Strategic Input I: Democratize education to eliminate social and economic distortions
Strategic Input II: Technical and professional training to accompany economic development
Strategic Input III: Develop the university and higher education to assure full and harmonious development of the society
Chapter 13: Strategic Input to Restore the Electricity Sector
Strategic Input I: Restore the electricity sector to favor economic development and improve quality of life
Chapter 14: Strategic Inputs for Financing Development
Strategic Input I: Create a national development bank to finance large projects in the common interest
Strategic Input II: Issue government bonds
Strategic Input III: Create a sovereign fund
Strategic Input IV: Make Port-au-Prince the financial center of the Caribbean
Strategic Input V: Join with foreign sovereign funds to finance large projects
Chapter 15: Economic Framework of the National Salvation Plan
The financial and money-raising facility
GDP projection for the period 2012%u20132017
GDP projection for the period 2018%u20132022
Ingress of funds by the financial facility
GDP projection in U.S. dollars at 42 gourdes per dollar for 2012%u20132017
GDP projection in U.S. dollars at 42 gourdes per dollar for 2018%u20132022
Source of investment funds for fiscal 2012
Source of investment funds for fiscal 2013
Source of investment funds for fiscal 2014
Source of investment funds for fiscal 2015
Source of investment funds for fiscal 2016
Allocation of investment in U.S. dollars 2010%u20132035
via haitipolicy.org
The private sector plan which the government of Haiti says it knows nothing about. I wish we had more of this prior to the quake.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Great Thought for Marlon Hill
This year, the Carnival drums, horns and strings, and music trucks will go silent in Haiti... So...Trinidad, Rio, Salvador, New Orleans - you know what to do - let the drums echo across the Caribbean sea in their honor
via facebook.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
This Is Big: Write Obama/ Support this #Haiti Reconstruction Plan
The Obama administration is quietly advocating a plan to reconstruct Haiti that could involve a central role for former President Bill Clinton.
The plan, designed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's staff and presented to top Haitian officials in recent days, calls for the creation of an Interim Haiti Recovery Commission to oversee the ``urgent early recovery'' over the next 18 months.
The commission's top priority: create a Haitian Development Authority to plan and coordinate billions in foreign assistance for at least 10 years.
The plan, obtained by The Miami Herald, states that the commission could be co-chaired by the Haitian prime minister and ``a distinguished senior international figure engaged in the recovery effort.''
Haiti observers believe the job description describes Clinton although he's not named in the document. The United Nations has already named him to coordinate its reconstruction efforts.
``I think he's a good choice if he can commit himself to doing the job,'' said Robert Maguire, a Haiti expert who is a professor at Trinity Washington University and chair of the U.S. Institute of Peace's Haiti Working Group. ``He seems to be a logical choice, someone with a deep commitment, connections and the trust of most, if not all of the players.''
Clinton could not be reached for comment.
IN PREVAL'S HANDS
Sources familiar with the plan say it was presented to Haitian President René Préval during Clinton's visit last weekend, and it was endorsed by Hillary Clinton's chief of staff, Cheryl Mills. Mills traveled to Haiti with Clinton in their second visit to the Caribbean nation since the Jan. 12 earthquake.
A State Department spokesman declined to comment, pointing instead to the secretary of state's comments about the importance of transparency and accountability in Haiti's reconstruction.
CHOICES
The administration's plan is among several that have been floated over the last week to Haitian government officials. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive called a meeting of international partners in Haiti to discuss the various proposals.
Washington's proposal comes a month before international donors are scheduled to meet in New York to raise billions to help rebuild a country that in less than a minute lost more than 250,000 buildings, including private homes, schools, hospitals and government offices.
The cost to rebuild Haiti remains elusive but economist Jeffrey Sachs estimated that the country's recovery needs could tally about $3.5 billion annually over the next four to five years to cover reconstruction, social assistance, development, peacekeeping and justice.
In recent years, the country has received about $1.2 billion in foreign aid, half of which has gone to peacekeeping and just 25 percent -- $30 per Haitian citizen -- for development.
Led by Bellerive, the government is expected to present its development plan during the conference. Donor nations and financial institutions have been jockeying behind the scenes to influence the reconstruction blueprint. Their suggestions have included various versions of the Washington plan.
TRUST FUND
For example, Canada is considering advocating for a trust fund managed by the World Bank. The idea, also outlined in Washington's proposal, calls for donors to channel funding through a single multidonor trust fund. Sachs, who does not support the Washington plan, is pushing for the Inter-American Development Bank to manage a similar trust fund.
``We should not see this as a U.S. political effort but a multilateral one,'' he said. ``It clearly should be the Haitian government alone. It shouldn't have a mixed membership of the president and international figures.''
Préval has not publicly commented on the proposals although he made a vague reference to the Washington plan on Saturday to a group of visiting Caribbean leaders.
WHAT'S NEEDED
Bellerive, who has called for greater donor coordination on Haiti, told The Miami Herald that the Washington plan is ``very close to what is needed to ensure transparency, efficiency and a leadership role of the Haitian government.''
But the final decision rests with Préval, who could form the interim recovery commission by decree.
The plan outlines the structure of the interim commission, which gives the Haitian president veto power. It also solicits advice from donors and experts in Haiti and the diaspora.
Maguire, who has not read the State Department document, said the plan sounds similar to an idea that Hillary Clinton was considering long before the earthquake. Her office has sought over the past several months to better coordinate assistance to Haiti, which remains impoverished despite billions of dollars in foreign aid.
``I think there is an approaching chaos of people getting involved in the reconstruction of Haiti, people who just want to make decisions on their own or people who want to profiteer from this,'' Maguire said. ``There is a desperate need for some sort of decision-making entity and it's clear the government of Haiti needs reenforcement.''
via miamiherald.com
Write President Obama here. http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Dilemma of Conflicting Cultural Standards in #Haiti and Why It Matters.
If you really want to talk about it, there are a million displaced people who are living on the street and you have to move them into proper housing. The housing they used to be in, destroyed or not, was NEVER habitable. So you cant put them back in the slums, even if you wanted to. The real problem is then that you have to actually build housing for one million people. How the hell do you justify that? EQ damages a bunch of bad to start with housing and now world comes in with its standards and realizes that they have to start from scratch b/c its standards are so far above what was. How do you spend all this money when its not 1/3 of the money you need to address the housing problem? Its like the friend you went to help with his flat tire but turns out he has blown his engine and everyone else went home so now you have help him fix his engine...except for you only brought a jack and a spare tire. Dont know if that made sense. Since we know Haiti wont get 6 billion more to do the job right, we know it wont get done. How then could we spend the money we have to get the biggest possible boost for the Haitian economy and country?
With the money we have, we need to put it all in to ramping up the electricity generation capacity of the dams in Haiti AND building out the grid to serve the whole country. No power equals no factories, more obstacles for small business, schools, health care, more cutting down of trees for fuel etc. No energy means whatever you build in "reconstruction" will stay dark. Renewable power and a rebuilt grid is the one thing you can do now that will have dividends for a very long time. Everything and anything else can not have the same impact. That is what all concerned parties can do if they have vision and they really want to help build a middle class and stronger economy.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I am no christian but recognize divine intervention when i see it - @shaunking, @generation4him @suzileveaux for Baby Landina
I could hardly sleep last night. Woke up early. I am moved. I went to a funeral last week. Instead of eulogizing my wife's grandfather, the pastor tried to beat all the mourners with guilt until they gave themselves to Jesus. Intellectually, I cant do born again. I've broken up with girlfriends over what I see as intellectual dishonesty that is christianity these days. I believe in love and its power in this universe. I believe in positive energy. Let me say this, if christianity is @shaunking, @generation4him @suzileveaux and JJ Woody then its ok with me. I am inspired by their love and its power. If that consistent, persistent energy in action is inspired by their love for Jesus Christ then I love Jesus Christ too. I am no christian but I no less honor these peaceful warriors and their leader and would go to battle with them anytime.
peace/love/ayiti
Monday, February 8, 2010
Charter Cities for Haiti?
via fastcompany.com
How about charter infrastructure. Haiti needs a renewable energy power grid with wireless meters. Build it and the middle class will form. Haitians work extremely hard with no power or proper communications to support them. Give them that and they will rise.
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