Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

January 14 – David Stillman will speak at the CTAUN (Committee for Teaching About the United Nations) annual conference for educators on global issues, at the United Nations headquarters, which attracts approximately 500 participants each year.   This year’s topic is the Millennium Development Goals.   Stillman will speak on the work of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and its partners in relation to Haiti.  Also, Harry Stokes of Project Gaia will demonstrate the alcohol-fueled clean cookstove. The aim is to demonstrate concepts and materials that could be translated into curricula.  For details, see: 

http://www.ctaun.org/images/photos/2011NYCConFlyer-Speakers3-_2_.pdf 

January 15 – SImACT is organizing an event at SImACT headquarters in Brooklyn for presentations by, and discussions with, David Blume and others of Blume Distillation LLC.  (See article above re: Atlanta seminar.)    This is aimed to engage parties within and outside the Haitian-American community interested in the cookstove and micro-distillery initiative.

Haiti is facing a new crisis, with considerable illness and loss of life.  An outbreak of cholera had been feared since the January earthquake.  The cholera epidemic in the Artobinite and Central regions, first reported last Thursday, gives warning to the potential for similar epidemics elsewhere in Haiti, where dirty water and poor sanitary conditions and practices and crowding could spread the disease.  

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is offering Situation Reports that update information on the governmental and NGO humanitarian response to the epidemic, and also what is needed.  For up-to-date information, see:  http://haiti.humanitarianresponse.info/ 

Situation reports are being issued frequently.  Also, see this aerial photo of flooding from Tomas: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=93701  

The following link is for a video of the U.S. Strategy for addressing the cholera outbreak in Haiti. filmed on November 18, 2010.  Included this is planning for delivering oral rehydration salts packets to delivery points throughout Haiti. 

 http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc104?OpenForm&rc=2&cc=HTI has various reports and updates on the cholera situation.  

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of December 28, 2010

• As of 18 December 2010 (possibly 28 December??), the Ministère de la santé publique et de la population (MSPP) has reported 2,761 deaths and 70,865 hospitalized cases due to the cholera outbreak.
• There is an increase of cholera cases and fatality rates in the South-East department.
• The major gaps and constraints identified by the Health Cluster include community mobilization for cholera prevention and prompt treatment; access to clean water and latrines; access to health care; and coordination.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of 24 December 2010

• The Ministère de la santé publique et de la population (MSPP) has not
  reported any updated data n cholera cases since 17 December. The latest estimate available remains 2,591 deaths and
  63,711 hospitalizations due to the cholera outbreak.
• In the Grande Anse department, more than 4,000 cases have been reported since 17 November, with mortality rates estimated by the MSPP at approximately 8.4% while local reports suggest much higher mortality rates in rural areas.
• A nationwide campaign to deal with the stigma associated with cholera is urgently needed as misconceptions about the disease are hampering management and treatment of cholera cases.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of December 17 (communiqué of December 22)

• The Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (MSPP) has reported 2,591 deaths and 63,711 hospitalizations due to the cholera, as of 17 December.
• The case fatality rate nationwide (2.1%) and in most departments has decreased but remains high in some, including Nippes (14.5%).
• The establishment of new Cholera Treatment Centers and Cholera Treatment Units in rural and remote areas remains a priority.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of December 17 (communiqué of December 19)

•  The Ministère de la santé publique et de la population (MSPP) has
  reported 2,535 deaths and 58,190 hospitalization cases due to the cholera outbreak, as of 14 December. The overall case fatality rate is 2.2 per cent nationwide.
• An increase in cholera cases is reported in the Artibonite and the West
  Departments where there is a noticeable lack of water, sanitation and
  hygiene (WASH) actors present.
•  There is an urgent need for ambulances in Grande Anse where only one is available to transport cholera patients for the entire Department.
• The security situation could still deteriorate in the upcoming days, with the announcement of final results of the first round presidential
  elections. The impact on the humanitarian reponse to the cholera epidemic could be severe.

•  
• After almost a week of disruption of their activities, all clusters have resumed their activities. Thisweek, the situation has improved and most water, sanitation and hygiene (wash) cluster activities are back to normal.
• One of the main challenges for Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) cluster activities remains the access to rural areas. The cluster reports that water trucking in urban and semi-urban areas is coping with most of the needs. However, more water purification tablets continue to be needed in IDP camps.
• Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster partners activities have gradually resumed in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps and settlements in the affected areas.
• The education cluster reports that 2.2 million school-age children in over 20,000 schools nationwide need safe drinking water.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of December 10, 2010

• The Ministry of Health (MSPP) has reported 2,193 deaths and 46,749
  hospitalised cases of cholera since the beginning of the outbreak. The
  overall case mortality rate is 2.2 percent nationwide.
•  Cholera response activities have been greatly affected and disrupted by the ongoing political crisis, due to the contested release of the first
  round presidential election results. The stabilization of the security
  situation has allowed some actors to resume cholera response activities after several days of disruption but there are still considerable gaps and problems.
• Lack of partners for WASH as well as for other clusters is reported as
  one of the major constraints to implementing cholera response activities in many parts of the country including the North West and Centre Departments.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of December 7, 2010 

• The Ministry of Health (MSPP) has reported 2,120 deaths and 44,157 hospitalized cases of cholera since 20 October. The overall fatality rate is 2.2 percent nationwide.
• WASH actors are urgently needed in the North West and Centre Departments, where significant gaps have been reported.
• Lack of medical personnel and supplies in health centres especially in remote/mountainous areas is one of the main challenges facing the cholera response in Cap Haitien. OCHA has sent a mission to the area to reinforce existing coordination mechanisms and ensure information flow between partners.
• Increased tensions around the release of the presidential election results and Public Holiday on Thursday 9th December 2010 are expected to interrupt cholera response activities.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of 11/30/2010 

• The Ministry of Health (MSPP) has reported 1,751 deaths and 34,248 hospitalized cases. The overall case mortality rate which includes deaths outside hospitals is 2.3 per cent.
• Standardization of chlorination levels, management of dead bodies and disposal of excreta remain key issues.
• Security restrictions around elections have impaired cholera response in some areas, although they have now largely been lifted and the situation is returning to normal.
• New customs clearance procedures for non-registered organizations involved in the cholera response have been published on the logistics cluster website.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of 11/23/10 

• The Ministry of Health (MSPP) has reported 1,415 deaths and 25,248 hospitalised cases of cholera since 20 October.
• WHO/PAHO estimate that the cholera outbreak could affect up to 400,000 people.
• A new phone service, accessible when dialling *300, has been established by MSPP for information and for management of corpses.
• PAHO/WHO, in coordination with the MSPP and WFP, have distributed 87 tons of essential medicines and supplies which will cover one third of patient caseload over the coming months.
• The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms Valerie Amos, who arrived in Haiti today has stressed the need to scale-up the humanitarian response to the cholera epidemic, particularly in the regions.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/19/10 

• The Ministry of Health (MSPP) has reported 1,186 deaths and 19,646 cases. Overall the MSPP reports that 49,418 people have sought medical attention since the epidemic was declared.
• 40 tonnes of medical supplies and sensitization material were distributed today as part of a three-day distribution by the MSPP and health and logistics clusters.
• Civil unrest in Cap Haitien continues to inhibit the humanitarian response to cholera in the surrounding area. The UN and humanitarian partners have called for calm in order to resume activities.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/16/10 

• The Ministry of Health reports 1,039 dead and 16,799 hospitalised cases of cholera.
• Some 30 cholera treatment centres with a capacity of at least 1,600 beds have been established. Nine CTCs are operating in Port-au-Prince.
• Violence in Cap Haitian has affected humanitarian response causing WASH partners to suspend activities and the UN to cancel flights carrying supplies.
• Material and personnel gaps have been reported in the North and Northwest departments.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/10/10
 

• The Ministry of Health reports 643 deaths and 9,971 hospitalized cases.
• The lack of implementing partners for both WASH and health in upper Artibonite is reported as a serious problem.
• The President indicates that information is the primordial tool to stop the spread of cholera in Haiti.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/8/10
 

• 8,138 hospitalised cases of cholera and 544 deaths reported by the government to date.
• A Standard Operation Procedure for reporting new cases or resurgences of water-borne disease such as cholera has been developed to support the Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners’ response to the epidemic.
• Hurricane Tomas has caused 21 deaths and destroyed 1,004 homes, as reported by the Civil Protection (DPC).
• The DPC reports that the Centre, Northwest, North and Nippes departments have experienced severe losses in the agricultural sector. FAO has initiated assessments today.
• UNICEF continues to support 15 experts at the water and sanitation directorate, DINEPA, who conduct tests of chlorine levels and bacteria presence in water networks and kiosks.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/6/2010
 

• The DPC reports 6 deaths and over 18,000 people who evacuated their homes preemptively, including over 14,000 who evacuated to hurricane shelters as of yesterday evening.
• Initial assessments suggest that the agriculture sector is the most severely affected by Hurricane Tomas, with flooded fields, loss of livestock and crops.
• Populations who evacuated to safer shelters or temporary shelters are reportedly returning to their homes.
• The humanitarian community is concerned about the implications which flooding and population movements may have for the spread of cholera.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of 11/5/10
 

• Two deaths and two people missing have been reported due to Hurricane Tomas.
• The DPC estimates 10,000 people have voluntarily evacuated their shelters since 4 November.
• In upper Artibonite, heavy rains since 17:30 P.M. are accumulating, causing flooding in areas in and around Gonaives with 25 to 35 centimeters of standing water reported by MINUSTAH.
• The South and Centre departments of Haiti are not impacted by the hurricane anymore while the North-West of Haiti continues to be affected until night hours.
• Hospitals in Léogane and Les Cayes, as well as Saint Louis Hospital in Delmas (Port au Prince), have been evacuated
• There are approximately 120,832 tarps and 4,268 tents in the country to provide assistance to over 300,000 individuals. Over 60 per cent of the shelter needs can be covered with available in country stocks. Assessments are ongoing.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as at 11/2/10 

• Emergency supplies and equipment are urgently needed in preparation for Tropical Storm Tomas.
• WASH, shelter, logistics and communication clusters have identified requirements in terms of equipment and supplies that are immediately needed to augment response capacity.
• Advocacy efforts will continue tomorrow to increase awareness amongst international partners and the media on the necessity to address these needs.
• Today Groupe d’appui de la Communauté Internationale (GACI) was convened by the Prime Minister at the UN logbase to discuss coordination for preparedness for the storm. The meeting was attended by DPC, bilateral donors, UN agencies, international NGOs and MINUSTAH.
• Hurricane preparedness activities are prioritized in anticipation of heavy rainfall and flooding to occur within the next 48 hours.
• As of 3 November, the Ministry of health (MSPP) reports 442 deaths and 6,742 hospitalized cases from cholera.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of 11/1/10 

• Haiti remains at high alert in preparation for tropical storm “Tomas”, according to the Civil Protection (DPC). The UN and humanitarian community continue to support the DPC contingency plan by pre-positioning shelter, health, food and water supplies across Haiti.
• Humanitarian partners estimate that 150,000 tarpaulins are required to meet shelter needs following tropical storm “Tomas”.
• World Food Programme distributed 2.1 million water purification tablets to Gonaives in Artibonite to be distributed in schools in the affected areas as part of their cholera prevention initiative.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of October 31 

• According to the Civil Protection (DPC), Haiti is in the trajectory of Hurricane “Tomas”, which is expected to impact Haiti on Friday 5 November. In collaboration with the DPC, the UN and humanitarian community have activated contingency plans for hurricane response.
• Planning figures of 100,000 families (500,000 people) affected means 150,000 tarpaulins and 100,000 blankets will be needed in addition to contingency stock already in country.
• The MSPP, UN and humanitarian community continue to respond to the cholera outbreak.
• The health cluster reports five cholera treatment centers (CTCs) in Port-au-Prince are operational as well as three others in Arcahaie, St Marc and Léogane.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of October 30 

• The Ministry of Health reports 337 deaths and 4,764 hospitalized cases of cholera as of 10:00 A.M.
• Water purification materials, in particular that which are used to treat water with sediment, are urgently needed. Additional stocks of water purification tablets and soap also need urgent replenishing.
• Preparations begin for Hurricane Tomas which has a likelihood of impacting Haiti early next week.
• UNICEF has made 100 megaphones and 800 batteries available to the departmental health authorities of St Marc and Gonaives to conduct sensitization on cholera prevention and treatment.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of October 29 

• The Ministry of Health has confirmed 4,714 hospitalized cases and 330 deaths from cholera.
• OCHA will facilitate cholera response related projects to be added to the existing 2010 appeal. The projects will cover needs in the areas of WASH, health, camp management, communications, logistics and education.
• UNICEF is procuring 600,000 bars of soap from within Haiti, and has placed international orders for 100,000,000 water purification tablets for delivery within the next week.
• From 23 to 27 October DINEPA has measured chlorine levels in 430 water distribution points and households in the West department and in Artibonite.
• The WASH cluster reports that hygiene promotion messages have been disseminated in at least 432 IDP camps in and around Port-au-Prince.

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES as of October 28 

•  The Ministry of Health has confirmed 4,649 hospitalizations and 305 deaths from cholera according to data from 20 to 27 October recorded by the government.
• Viva Rio reports supporting teams who disseminate prevention information while distributing oral rehydration salts in communities with a population of 50,000 people. The organisation will focus in particular on engaging with pregnant women, children, the elderly and handicapped.
• The WASH cluster reports almost two thirds of communities in the 15 communal sections at the epicenter of the outbreak have received water purification tablets and supplies in the past five days.
• The logistics cluster reports available air, road and sea transportation capacity.   Read more…

On Friday, July 2 the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted a resolution that includes establishment of “UN Women,” the new gender equality agency at the UN. The formal name is the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. (A/64/L.56).  This momentous action is the result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and advocacy by the global women’s movement. 

PPAF works to promote the advancement of women in its activities in its focus countries and welcomes this new important agency. 

UN Women will function as a secretariat and also will carry out operational activities at the country level; it brings together four parts of the UN system:

• the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), established in 1946;
• the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), established in 1976, and with its headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic;
• the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), established in 1997; and
• the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), established in 1976).

The new body will be headed by an Under-Secretary General who will be a member of all senior UN decision-making bodies and will report to the Secretary-General.  [Keep reading for more information on UN Women and on Ambassador Cuello's statement concerning a role for UN Women in the Dominican Republic.]

Read more…

by Bojana Koljancic, PPAF Intern

On Friday, July 2, four Dominican Republic organizations held a conference at the United Nations about the “Empowerment of Young Women through Youth Delegates to the United Nations.”   This was a side event to the 2010 Substantive Session of the UN Economic and Social Council which took place on the day that the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted Resolution A/64/L.56, which establishes “UN Women” as the new gender equality entity at the UN. 

These were the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), La Fundacion Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR) and the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the UN.

Convinced that empowering women and youth fuels thriving economies, and spurs productivity and growth, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation welcomes their involvement on national delegations.  PPAF regularly involves young women and men from different origins and cultures as interns.   PPAF also welcomes the creation of UN Women, which will be operational by January 2011.   PPAF further seeks to help achieve the aims of UN Women, to work for all women and girls toward achieving the goals of equality, development and peace all over the world.

Panelists at the July 2 event were:  Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations in New York; Kerry Stefancyk, Program Coordinator for GFDD; Anik Kohli. UN Swiss youth delegate in 2008-2009; Fruzsina Molnar Straus, Communication and Program Officer at the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA); and Yamile Eusebio, Director of Formative Activities in FUNGLODE and Director of the New York GFDD office.  Pilar Sandoval, the Executive Director of UNA-DR was unable to join the panel.

The main theme of the meeting was to promote and show the value of youth delegates at the United Nations, and the extent youth representatives, in particular young women, are involved. Read more…

The UN offers businesses many ways to support its mission while creating valuable partnerships and pursuing new business opportunities.  One is to compete in the procurement process and become UN vendors.  Another is to assist in disaster response.  The UN also encourages business to join  the UN Global Compact, which affirms their adherence to several basic international mandates.  For more information about business partnering with the UN, and examples of how companies work with the UN, see:  http://business.un.org

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation promotes a business approach to development for poverty reduction and partnerships, and in support of all of the UN Millennium Development Goals.  PPAF is a participant in the UN Global Compact.

Procurement

One way to become a vendor and gain access to the UN’s $6 billion international market is to take advantage of the “one-step, fully on-line” registration process of the UN Global Marketplace.  This registers businesses with 21 agencies, funds and programs and the UN Secretariat, which represent over 95% of the UN procurement program’s expenditures.

Large contracts make the headlines, but the UN also relies on small businesses to support its operations. To encourage small business participation, the UN offers a tiered contract system   based on contract size – ranging from under $200,000 to over $5 million – with reduced compliance requirements for smaller contracts.

The UN Global Marketplace guide “Doing Business with the UN System” outlines the process. 

Disaster Response

A business can partner with the UN in disaster response as a paid service provider or by making donations.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) produces “How Can My Company Help?”   This page explains the role of businesses in disaster response, as well as methods of giving.

Cash is always the preferred type of donation, as it allows the UN to direct resources to the most immediate need, but in-kind donations are accepted so long as they meet current emergency needs. In all cases, donated goods and services must be aligned with the goals of the UN.

Businesses can also donate expertise by providing full-time employees with needed skills to UN agencies, and can facilitate individual giving through employee donation programs.

 OCHA encourages businesses to develop their ability to respond to future disasters, especially by creating long-term partnerships with emergency relief organisations.  OCHA also encourages support after the initial disaster passes, as reconstruction often costs ten or more times the cost of the initial response.

The UN Global Compact

The UN Global Compact  is a public-private initiative that joins businesses with the UN to make commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship in four core areas: human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. By signing the Compact, businesses agree to implement and promote ten universal principles and to make annual contributions according to revenue-based guidelines.

Participating in the Compact allows businesses to contribute to the creation of a “more sustainable and inclusive global economy,” as well as to enjoy the benefits of partnering with the UN, governments, civil society, labor, and other non-business interests to develop best practices and implement an “established and globally recognized policy framework for the development.”

The World Summit for the Future of Haiti was held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on June 2, 2010   It was hosted by Dominican President Leonel Fernandez who opened summit along with Haitian President Rene Preval,  U.N. special envoy to Haiti former president Bill Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.  This was a follow up to the summit held in New York on March 31 in which a total of almost 10 billion dollars was pledged by the various countries and international organizations that attended.

The June 2 summit was organized in effort to begin to review the funds that had already been pledged in the months following the New York summit. The day was spent discussing ways to create and implement initiatives aimed at rebuilding the Haitian infrastructure after the devastating earthquake of January 12. The focus was on projects that would restore some of Haiti’s most basic systems such as water, sewage and electricity, as well as building housing for the many displaced Haitians.

Fifty-four donor countries and 35 international organizations attended the summit. According to President Fernandez, by its close, a total of 7.81 billion was promised to help aid in the reconstruction of Haiti- still short of the 10 billion originally pledged in New York.  Most of these funds have not yet been delivered.

“ All this leads to the figure of US$6.71 billion. If we add the US$1.30 billion offered by the United States in the Summit in New York to that, we’ve already identified US$ 7.81 billion in pledges for Haiti’s reconstruction” (President Fernandez) .

 Former President Clinton and Prime Minister Bellerive are charged with using $ 5.3 billion of those dollars to fund various reconstruction projects over the next 18 months. The new Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti (ICRH), will have their first meeting on June 14th to discuss further details.

Another concern was the safety of the million or so Haitians who are now homeless and susceptible to the 2010 Hurricane season which began June 1. Efforts are being made to ensure their protection and secure housing for the refugees in order to shield them from the effects of the harsh season and prevent further tragedy.

“We have more than one million people that are currently living in very precarious conditions, in camping tents,” stated Clinton, who is the United Nation’s Special Envoy to Haiti. “We can not allow for people to die during this Hurricane Season because they inhabit temporary dwellings.”

As Haiti starts to recover from the earthquake, but while access to much of the promised funding is yet unavailable, it’s important to remember the beginnings of the tragedy.

The PPAF YouTube channel now provides links to several videos from the United Nations in Action series that recount the first two months after the earthquake in Haiti.   Also linked is an earlier video on the protection of mangroves in the north. 

MINUSTAH hit hard by Haiti’s earthquake

Haiti’s Earthquake disaster

Haiti: Emergency medical care after the quake

Haiti: Search and rescue

Haiti: Food aid continues

Haiti Earthquake: UNICEF helps children to reunite with their families

Les soins médicaux d’urgence à la suite du séisme en Haïti

L’aide alimentaire continue en Haïti

Durement touchée par le tremblement de terre en Haïti

L’opération de recherche et secours en Haïti

Haiti: mangrove protection

Everyone interested in learning about the US $9.9 billion in funds pledged at the Haiti Donors Conference, and about tracking their use, will welcome the news that the Government of Haiti and the United Nations Development Program have established a website for such tracking.   The new site, available in French and English,  includes articles, a map of pledges, and a “dashboard” providing analytics.   It also includes the French and English versions of the National Reconstruction and Development Plan.     The website is a “work in progress” which will be updated.

Version francais:  http://www.refondation.ht/index.jsp?&lng=fr 

English version:  http://www.refondation.ht/index.jsp?&lng=en

In the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, Haiti has experienced great financial loss, loss of livelihood and an ongoing humanitarian crisis.   Investments and commercial dealings that respond to the needs of the people and of the economy can help to “build back better”.

The Société Immobilière de Agriculture, Commerce et Tourisme, Inc., (SImACT) and the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF), in collaboration with Haitian government and other local and international partners, will conduct a workshop for potential foreign and local investors and businesses to facilitate their efforts in the region.  The workshop will bring together the private sector, government, donors, non-profit organizations and others to work together toward the common goal of revitalizing the Southern area of the country.  The workshop will emphasize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as a framework for sustainable development.

Workshop dates are  27–29 June 2010.  A maximum of 70 participants, both Haitian and from other countries, will be invited to attend.  If you or your organization would be interested in attending or in co-sponsoring, contact Dr. David Stillman at ppafoundation@gmail.com

Languages of the conference will include French, English and Spanish. High-level officials of the Government of Haiti will be specially invited. 

Workshop topics being developed  include: 

• Overview of the Haiti Action Plan for National Recovery and Development
• Regional Priorities for Recovery and Development in Southern Haiti
• Role of the Private Investor and of Public-Private Partnerships
• Perspectives of NGOs and Local Government; Involvement of Local People in Decisions
• Credit and Funds Transfer, Legal Issues, Other
• Subgroups will depend on interest and may include:
  • Infrastructure – Seaport, airport, roads
  • Renewable energy –  Ethanol, biodiesel, solar power
  • Housing – Low-cost, moderate cost and safe repair
  • Agriculture and agribusiness – Fish farming, sugar and other
  • Social venture capital and microfinance
  • Ethanol cookstoves
  • Health – Clinics, training and post-traumatic stress
  • Historic District – UNESCO World Historic Site; repairs to standards
  • Tourism – Marketing of Jacmel, eco-tourism, voluntourism
  • Arts and artisans

Woman cooking in an American Relief Committee Camp

The photo above shows life in a displaced persons camp in Haiti.  Many are living with less.  Extradordinary reconstruction is needed. 

The United States and the United Nations (UN), in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, and with the support of Brazil, Canada, the European Union, France, and Spain,  co-hosted the “International Donors’ Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti” at the United Nations in New York on March 31.   Co-Chairs were UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Haiti President René Préval.

PPAF Executive Director David Stillman had the good fortune to speak briefly with President Clinton at the conference about ideas developed during Stillman’s recent trip to Haiti.   PPAF expects to follow up on this in the coming weeks.

The goal of the donors conference was to mobilize international support for the development needs of Haiti in an effort to lay the foundation for the country’s long-term recovery.  The Prime Minister of Haiti  presented the Action Plan for Haiti’s future and explained how international support can assist. Countries, international organizations, and other partners had an opportunity to pledge resources, to discuss coordination in support of Haiti’s long-term recovery and to commit to a sustained effort to support Haiti.

At the conference, the United Nations Members States and International Partners pledged US$ 5.3 billion for the next two years and US$ 9.9 billion in total for the next three years and beyond. 

View here the Closing Press Conference .   The action plan, the meeting agenda and the final communiqué also available on the www.haiticonference.org site.