Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

PPAF has posted materials on its website (see Events Section) relating to the Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings held at the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic from 2 to 4 December 2009.   This includes the Spanish language report approved by the CNE as well as links to the invitation, photos and videos filmed in the D.R. with Dominican TV Revista 110 and by PPAF.

PPAF ha publicado material en su sitio web (Sección Eventos), relativa a las reuniones sectoriales de Bioenergía, celebrada en la Comisión Nacional de Energía de la República Dominicana 2 a 4 diciembre de 2009. Esto incluye el informe en español, aprobado por el CNE, así como enlaces a la invitación, fotos y vídeos.

The meetings brought out the views of representatives from the public sector, the financial community and companies with pilot field experience, and academics and the private sector — over 55 people in total.  

En las reuniones participaron los representantes del sector público, la comunidad financiera y las empresas con la experiencia sobre el terreno, y los académicos y el sector privado – más de 55 personas en total.

In addition to the National Energy Commission (CNE) as host and leader, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. benefited from collaboration and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RJS Group, S.A., and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP).  The December discussions expanded upon the recommendations reached at the introductory session held in Santo Domingo in early October, where Grupo Vicini, the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) were sponsors as well.

Además de la Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE), como anfitrión y líder de la Public-Private Alliance Foundation y ResearchPAYS, Inc. beneficiado de la colaboración y el patrocinio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, el Grupo de RJS, SA, y la United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP). Los debates de diciembre ampliaron las recomendaciones formuladas en la sesión preliminar celebrada en Santo Domingo a principios de octubre, donde el Grupo Vicini, la Organización Intergubernamental de Energías Renovables (IREO) y el Centro de Exportación e Inversión de la República Dominicana (CEI-RD) fueron los patrocinadores también.

In January 2010 David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, met with Maximo Nicolas, President of the Dominican Aquaculture Association (ADOA) and others to discuss achievements and plans for fish farming in the Dominican Republic.   Dr. James Tidwell, Chair of the Aquaculture Program at Kentucky State University, and past president of the World Aquaculture Society, participated in these meetings.  Rounding out the team were Bill Miller and Dan Mizroch, former Peace Corps Volunteers in the D.R., who have long maintained connections there.  Miller is President of the Kentucky State Division of the United Nations Association of the USA and host and producer of Global Connections TV.  Mizroch is an information technology consultant in New York.   

ADOA and its partners are planning a workshop in March called  “Estrategias para el Desarrollo de la Acuicultura Dominicana 2010-2015“, which will focus on achievements of the earlier strategic planning process and needs going forward.  The previous strategic plan is available under the publications section at http://www.idiaf.org.do .

Nicolas, Stillman and Tidwell participated in a meeting of the organizational committee for the March workshop.  There they met with representatives of the Dominican Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Research (IDIAF), where the workshop will be held, and with the Technical Mission of Taiwan and others.  The group met Ginny Heinsen de Freitas and other senior staff of the Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development, Inc. – Centro Para el Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal, Inc. (CEDAF). 

Maximo Nicolas, Romeo Massey

Alberto Rodriguez, Tim McFarren, Stillman, Tidwell, Nicolas

Miller and Mizroch joined the group for a meeting with Romeo Massey, Director of the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, and his staff, to discuss the potential for Peace Corps volunteers in aquaculture.  The whole group, joined by ADOA member Richard LeClerc and Alicia Mizroch, visited three fish farms in Monte Plata province.

Nicolas, LeClerc, Tidwell, Miller, Stillman, Mizroch

LeClerc, Nicolas, A. Mizroch at a fish hatchery

Raoul, one of the members of the famed Mahaleo singing group from Madagascar, is in real life Dr. Raosolosolofo Razafindranoa, a physician in Toamasina.   The Mahaleos are known for their passion for their country, and for helping the Malagasy people.  [Voir francais dessous les photos.]

Raoul has asked PPAF to help raise $1,000 for solar panels to provide electricity for the village school in Ambalarondra.   This small school has been built with donations from within Madagascar and abroad, and with community labor.  Now, a canteen building has been added, for preparation and serving of meals for the children.  Providing a daily meal encourages families to send their children to school; it gives kids the nutrition they need and the opportunity to learn.  In the country as a whole, 42% of children under 5 are underweight for their age.  Education of children, and nutritious meals as part of their education, are their path to a better future. 

To help, follow this link  for donating on-line and in the remarks, designate Solar Power.  Or, you may send a check to PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.     

Schoolchildren at Ambalarondra

End of School Celebration in the Canteen

Raoul, un des membres du groupe Mahaleo, est actuellement Dr. Raosolosolofo RAZAFINDRANOA,  un médecin à Toamasina. Le Mahaleos sont connus pour leur passion pour leur pays, et pour l’esprit d’aider le peuple malgache.

Raoul a demandé a PPAF de lui aider à recueillir 1000 $ pour des panneaux solaires pour fournir l’électricité pour l’école du village Ambalarondra. Cette petite école a été construite grâce aux dons locaux et à l’étranger, et avec le travail communautaire. Maintenant, un bâtiment de cantine a été construit, pour préparer et servir des repas pour les enfants. Fournir un repas quotidien encourage les familles à envoyer leurs enfants à l’école, elle donne aux jeunes de la nutrition dont ils ont besoin et la possibilité d’apprendre. Dans le pays, 42% des enfants de moins de 5 ans présentent une insuffisance pondérale pour leur âge. L’éducation des enfants, et des repas nutritifs dans le cadre de leur formation, sont leur chemin vers un avenir meilleur.

Pour aider, suivez ce lien pour faire des dons en ligne et dans les remarques,  « panneaux solaires ». Ou, vous pouvez adresser un chèque à PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706, Etats-Unis d’Amerique (USA).

Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy, Permanent Representative of Madagascar to the United Nations and a PPAF board member, has announced that the first of five 40-foot containers of medical supplies and equipment from Project C.U.R.E. reached Toamasina, the eastern port city in Madagascar.   

The Ministry of Health has assured customs clearance and verification of the goods, while the Ambatovy Nickel Project is providing costs of shipping.   Mialy Razakandisa Rajoelina, wife of the transitional head of state of Madagascar, and Patrick Hickey, the CEO (President Director General) of the Ambatovy Project, received the supplies at a January 30 ceremony in Toamasina.  

The first container is being provided to the university hospital, Hopitaly Be.  Future containers will go to two basic health centers in Toamasina and to Moramanga, Brickaville and Ranomafana.  Information is available on the Madagate website.  

Working closely with the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations,  PPAF underwrote the initial needs assessment carried out by Project C.U.R.E., and helped make contacts with officials and potential funders for the shipping as well as for other arrangements.  The Madagate article also points to the value of such public-private partnerships.

The Ambassador writes that he is personally coordinating preparation of official ceremonies of arrival.  He notes that pictures speak for themselves of the success of our common actions.

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation is receiving offers of assistance and inquiries from companies and individuals about getting involved in work relating to the immediate crisis in Haiti, as well as longer-term actions.  PPAF is working with several groups on providing generators and warehouse space, as well as longer-range programming.  Feel free to send your ideas and offers of assistance for collaborative work to: ppafoundation@gmail.com

We want to share important sources for learning about what is happening beyond what is reported in the press.

(1)     The Interagency Standing Committee of the United Nations

Only through pooling information from many relief sources can one start to understand what is happening on the ground. The Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) of the United Nations is the main mechanism for interagency coordination of humanitarian assistance, involving key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. See http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc/

The IASC  is chaired by the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Sir John Holmes. The full members are the heads of the UN humanitarian agencies. Standing invitees include Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, World Bank, International Organization for Migration, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Inter-Action, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (represented by World Vision International) and the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (represented by Oxfam).

The Logistics Cluster of the IASC is an excellent source for daily news updates which give information on the logistics situation in Haiti and in the D.R. for Haiti, as well as other extensive information. See the http://www.logcluster.org website.   The World Food Program is the lead agency for the Logistics Cluster.

(2)  The Center for International Disaster Information

The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) encourages Americans to respond appropriately and responsibly to the earthquake in Haiti. Those who wish to best help the victims in Haiti are asked to donate cash as an alternative to in-kind donations such as clothing and canned goods. Cash donations are widely recognized as the most efficient and effective means of relief, a policy supported by CIDI’s funding partner, the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and those in the established international disaster response community.

This extensive site provides guidelines for giving aid, information for individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations and teachers, and links to the federal business opportunity site for “requests for proposals.”

For those who want to volunteer, the CIDI website provides information about the types of volunteers who are needed and accepted by most agencies: usually people with relevant language skills, at least ten years’ experience in disaster relief, with specific skills in medicine, health, communications and logistics, and willing to spend at least three months in country.  Full details are available on the website.  There is a place to register your availability; relief agencies review the database and independently contact potential volunteers.  See http://www.cidi.org

A New York Times article published on January 29 highlights cooperation between the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.   While the article recounts historical resentments, today’s humanitarian interactions are positive.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Leo Merores, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations, and Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, January 22, 2010.  The topic was: “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations.” in relation to the Emergency Situation in Haiti.

El Secretario General Ban Ki-moon, Embajador Léo Mérorès, Representante Permanente de Haití ante las Naciones Unidas, y el Embajador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Representante Permanente de la República Dominicana ante las Naciones Unidas, habló en la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas en Viernes, 22 de enero 2010. El tema fue: “Fortalecimiento de la coordinación de la asistencia humanitaria de emergencia de las Naciones Unidas.” En relación con la situación de emergencia en Haití.

Le Secretaire-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassadeur Léo Mérorès, Représentant permanent d’Haïti auprès de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, et l’Ambassadeur Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Représentant permanent de la République dominicaine auprès de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, a parlé lors de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies le vendredi 22 Janvier, 2010. Le thème était: «Renforcement de la coordination de l’aide humanitaire d’urgence de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.” Par rapport à la situation d’urgence en Haïti.

Full webcasts of the session are available in two forms:  with all speeches translated into English, and with all speeches in their original languages.

Lleno transmisiones de las sesiones están disponibles en dos formas: con todos los discursos traducidos al Inglés, y con todos los discursos en sus idiomas originales

Webémissions de la session sont disponibles sous deux formes: avec tous les discours traduit en anglais, et avec tous les discours dans leur langue originale

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/ga/64/2010/ga100122am.rm  [ENGLISH]

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/ga/64/2010/ga100122am-orig.rm  [ORIGINAL]

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon – English; Amb. Merores – francais; Amb. Cuello – espanol.

Approximate times:

07:08’ to 21:45’ –         UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon:    

37:44’ to 43:33’ –         Ambassador Leo Merores

01:59 to 02:07’ –         Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo

The role of the Dominican Republic as a staging area for aid to Haiti is  expanding.  [See our posting just below.]

As reported on the website of the Presidencia, on January 18, 2010, in Santo Domingo, with the agreement and assistance of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. René Preval, and at the initiative of the President of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, a meeting was held with representatives from the member countries of the CARICOM; OAS, Canada, Spain, United States, Brazil, the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) in Haiti, the European Union and the World Bank, to examine the best manner to address this dramatic situation. 

The group has decided to hold a preparatory conference based on several existing sources, including  Millennium Development Goals,  the 2008-2010 National Strategy Document on growth and poverty reduction and the World Bank document best known as Haiti: Options and Opportunities for Growth.  The next step is convening of a working group in Canada on January 25. 

For more information, see: http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/article.aspx?id=11892

Life for millions of people in Haiti changed dramatically on January 12, 2010.  Current estimates make 100,000 a conservative estimate of deaths.   By January 15, the Dominican Republic was in the midst of responding to the crisis.  As a staging area for international assistance, the D.R. channeled popular and governmental outpouring of humanitarian aid.  Be sure to watch PPAF’s video on the crisis.

We have uploaded to PPAF’s Flickr photo gallery photos of readily visible external aid.  I spoke with Spanish pilots and firefighters.   The pilots were bringing in heavy equipment in C-130 transports.  The Poles, from the national fire department, are part of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

INSARAG is a global network of more than 80 countries and disaster response organizations under the United Nations umbrella.   It responds to urban search and rescue needs.   In addition to fire department work at home, the Polish group had worked in post-earthquake situations in Italy, Turkey and Pakistan.

Dominican Aid

PPAF has uploaded to its YouTube channel a video where I talk with Dr. Virgilio Malagon.  See Haiti Crisis: Dominican and PPAF Response . In addition to his role as adviser to the president of the National Energy Commission, he is a ham radio operator and long-standing volunteer with the National Emergency Commission. 

Malagon said that the D.R. is establishing a buffer zone to accommodate refugees from the crisis.  President Fernandez already traveled to Port-au-Prince to offer Dominican support.  Hardware supermarkets are donating quantities of hammers, shovels, picks and other equipment for Haitians seeking loved ones by hand, and lumber and other construction materials to start the reconstruction process.  The D.R. started a campaign for 100 pesos for Haiti, to encourage individuals to donate funds.  It had raised the equivalent of US$ 500,000 in a couple of days.

PPAF Role

We are mobilizing immediate and longer-term support through partnerships.  We encourage readers to see our blog of January 15 and to make contributions to Airline Ambassadors International and to Project C.U.R.E.  They obtain donated materiel and medical supplies and equipment and deliver this to areas in need.

In the coming months PPAF will work with its partners to establish jobs and other income generating activities that are crucial to help Haiti move beyond this crisis.  Planning and outreach have already begun.   PPAF partners have offered biofuel and generators, construction engineering consultancy and management, and links to various potential financial and professional resources.

Please consider giving to PPAF for its work in intermediate rebuilding of Haiti.

PPAF has uploaded a video of Dr. Virgilio Malagon, adviser to the president of the National Energy Commission (CNE), interviewed by Dr. David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director.  On January 15, 2010, they discussed results of the two seminars held in October and December 2009, of which PPAF was a co-sponsor.  The CNE President has declared 2010 to be the “Year of Renewable Energy” and aims to put into service at least 50-75 megawatts from wind power, solar panel and some thermal generation of electricity.   The link for the video is Renewable Energy in the Dominican Republic.

The CNE is formulating a national energy program involving perspectives from government, economic, financial and religious sectors.   Three main points are resources for the CNE, pilot projects and public education.   Malagon and Stillman agreed that PPAF should continue and strengthen its involvement with CNE in these matters.