MaximsNewsNetwork: HAITI: UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)MaximsNewsNetwork: 20 January 2010 - UNDP: MINUSTAH: Port-au-Prince, Haiti - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) employed nearly 400 Haitians in cash-for-work activities to jump start the local economy and facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance. By the end of the week, this program will expand to include another 700 people working on rubble removal and the rehabilitation of essential social infrastructure, such as street repairs and electricity. As the co-ordinator of the UN early recovery team, UNDP is also working with the Government of Haiti and other partners to assess damages and needs, devise plans for rebuilding, and begin these immediate responses. The first phase of the cash-for-work program will focus on Carrefour-Feuilles, a neighborhood just south of Port-au-Prince. The initiative will soon be rolled out in other earthquake-stricken locations, including Leogane and Jacmel. Once fully operational, the project will employ 220,000 people, indirectly benefiting around 1 million Haitians. Patrick Masena said that this program helps the local population. "Given the difficult circumstances working in a community that's been ravaged, devastated homes, families out of work, everything's at a standstill but thanks to the funds made available by the UN we're able to start recovery operations and hire 700 people on top of the 389 people who are already working. Weve split the work into two groups working 6am - 12pm and 12pm - 6pm so that we can clean up the whole area. This is something that we're able to do as a community. The recruiting has been going on since this early morning. Were able to do a lot with very little. There are two recruitment criteria. You have to be the head of a household and you have to have lost an immediate family member to the earthquake." Masena added. The cash-for-work program launched Tuesday builds on UNDPs Briquettes Project, a cash-for-work program designed to combat climate change and reduce poverty. To speed up the rubble clearing process, UNDP, as a first step, used the resources and staff previously employed by the Briquettes Project. But UNDP is currently in the process of selecting the additional 700 people to be employed by the end of this week. ................................................................................ News Network for the United Nations and the International Community. See: http://www.MaximsNews.com. "GIVING POWER & RESONANCE TO THE VOICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY" ................................................................................ code pour embarquer la vidéo : >>> http://www.youtube.com/embed/dbzJVF1lX9c <<< |