By George Garland
Climate Week NYC’s opening ceremony provided an example of public private alliance that defies belief. The Rethinking Resiliency, a panel on innovative solutions for climate adaptation, brought us an example of the insurance company Swiss Re bringing disaster insurance to the 39,000 microfinance clients of Fonkoze Financial Services in Haiti.
Ann Hastings, Fonkoze CEO, has seen disasters from weather and earthquake undo successes many times. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquake have destroyed financial stability achieved through struggle to pay back micro loans. Ann has raised funds for loan forgiveness to restore such progress several times. Now, in a breathtaking example of public private partnership between an especially creative non-governmental organization Fonkoze and Swiss Re, Fonkoze offers disaster insurance to its clients. Swiss Re will pay out if certain levels of disaster are reached. Swiss Re simply pays Fonkoze which in turn pays insured disaster victims. With 41 offices in Haiti, Fonkoze can service claims and not rely on the kindness of strangers every time disaster strikes!
The United Nations International Office of Migration has published a 72-page book of photographs and letters from Haitians displaced by the earthquake that deserves reading.
Voice of the Voiceless — Vwa Pou Sila Ki Pou Gen Vwa or Les Voix Des Sans Vois – is produced in English, French and Creole.
An introduction by Leonard Doyle, Media and Communications Coordinator at IOM/Haiti, sets the stage:
“This book is testimony to the desire of Haiti’s new homeless to have their voices heard and to become part of their country’s national conversation. Ten examples have been chosen from among more than 2,500 received by IOM over a three month period. Once picked up the letters are read and responded to. The humanitarian community also analyses the letters to gauge the needs and concerns of the displaced as it plans an exit strategy from the camps. The letters in this book provide a glimpse into a harsh and precarious life being lived by an estimated third of the population of the capital Port-au-Prince. The writers cry out in desperation for jobs that pay a living wage saving them the indignity of depending on the charity of friends to survive each day.”
These are just some of the people whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake, and give face and voice “to the voiceless.”
At the Disaster Response and Recovery Summit in Orlando, Miyamoto International was a major sponsor and its president, Kit Miyamoto, made an impressive presentation on his company’s work for assessing earthquake damage in Port-au-Prince and engaging in repair of buildings. See his presentation on Miyamoto’s Disaster Response Work in Haiti . Miyamoto also posted this video: Haiti Earthquake: One Year Later.
On March 11 Kit Miyamoto was riding the subway in Tokyo when the Japanese earthquake and tsunami struck. In a moment he became an observer, participant and expert. He has written several circulars on what he has seen, and on March 24 his company posted this lengthy video Japan Earthquake March 11, 2011 – Presentation by Miyamoto
Both the people of Haiti and Japan are suffering through the effects of calamity, and deserve all possible assistance. Miyamoto International is one of the companies contributing to recovery. We of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation offer condolences to families who have lost so much. those involved and a desire to work together for a brighter future.
We join with all friends of Haiti in commemorating the tragic events of 12 January 2010. We extend our sympathies to relatives and friends of those lost, and our hope and determination for a brighter future. We are working with individuals and organizations to contribute toward rebuilding Haiti.
While videos don’t replace a visit to Jacmel, here are some that give a flavor of its history and charm, its devastation after the January 12 earthquake, and a glimpse into opportunities for the future.
Jacmel, Haiti (Documentary) – March 11, 2008 (en francais) - Productions Fanal. This documentarty is about the town of Jacmel located in the southeast of Haiti. The film talks about Jacmel’s history and its contribution to haitian culture, art, literature, and so on. (in French)
The Power Brokers Meet a few of the key players in Jacmel. - April 6, 2010, Globe and Mail – embedded in the article.
We have just viewed the excellent video Thirty-Five Long Seconds – the Earthquake in Haiti which shows the collapse of the presidential palace and other immediate effects of the earthquake, as well as interviews with prominent Haitian government officials. This is important to watch, to give again the context for the work needed and the work being done in Haiti. Thank you to Jean-Marie Wolff of SImACT for bringing this to our attention.
On April 20, David Stillman and colleagues including Dr. Lesly Kernisant, President, SIMACT, Inc., Harry Stokes and Brady Luceno of Project Gaia, and Regine Barjon of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and New York attended the Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue at the U.S. Department of Commerce. This featured U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Haitian Minister of Tourism (and reconstruction) Patrick Delatour as the keynote speaker. Robert Jones, U.S. Commercial Services Regional Senior Officer for the Caribbean, was emcee.
A panel discussion on the private sector perspective for doing business in Haiti featured senior representatives of Trilogy International Partners, Crowley Maritime Corporation, Hanes Brands and BEA Architects. Trilogy is currently the largest U.S. investor in Haiti, with the Voila! wireless communications. Crowley has reopened the Port of Port-au-Prince; Hanes has resumed manufacture in Haiti; and BEA Architects spoke of planning for ports and modular housing.
A second panel included senior representatives of the USAID/Haiti Task Team, Inter-American Development Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. USAID is emphasizing public-private partnerships and activities for development outside of Port-au-Prince. IDB has agreed to double its lending program and welcomes proposals. OPIC aims to mobilize U.S. capital and skills, and provides political risk insurance. The USTDA focuses on funding for infrastructure projects through feasibility studies and technical assistance and also welcomes proposals.
Despite the positive remarks of the private sector’s experience and the welcoming tone of the public sector speakers, three months after the earthquake specifics of detailed plans for reconstruction were not available. In response to questions, the USAID representative remarked it would take time for the pledges made at the March 31 Donors Conference to be approved by legislatures and implemented by agencies.
The meeting was valuable for making personal contacts with a number of senior officials.
Our group from PPAF, SIMACT, Project Gaia and the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and New York attended a reception held by Mercy Corps to honor Patrick Delatour. At this we spoke with a number of Haitian and American business people and government officials, including Minister Delatour.
Haitian Minister of Tourism (and reconstruction) Patrick Delatour, with the President of Mercy Corps, a Vice President of Carnival Cruise Lines, a former Peace Corps Haiti director and Senator Landrieu of Louisiana
At dinner after the reception, Harry Stokes of Project Gaia was able to demonstrate an ethanol cookstove to Minister Delatour.
Minister Delatour (c) with friends including Lesly Kernisant (top left) and cookstove
This initiative brought to the attention of one of Haiti’s highest officials the practical possibilities of the ethanol cookstoves being promoted through Project Gaia, SIMACT, and PPAF. The ethanol-burning cookstoves can help overcome hardships from the earthquake and help change people’s lives as Haiti seeks to “build back better.”
Inexpensive, efficient, safe, time-saving, and healthy, the stoves and their fuel make possible reduced reliance on charcoal, new small and medium enterprise opportunities, revival of sugar-based agribusiness, and environmental and carbon credit advantages.
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
