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commitment of the Government of Canada to Haiti
is it to live up to its promises?
is it to live up to its promises?
Montreal, January 10, 2011 - A year after the earthquake of January 12, 2010 in Haiti, members of the Collaborative Haiti (CPH) prepare a balance sheet disappointing Canadian aid to Haiti.
The approach advocated by the Canadian government does not truly begin reconstruction of Haiti. Favoring a short-term strategy and project effects of early recovery projects funded by Canada do not address the structural causes of vulnerability of Haiti. However, this is the only condition that Haiti can be rebuilt differently and sustainably.
Despite the many declarations of Canada announced a commitment of $ 400 million for the reconstruction of Haiti for 2010-2011, less than a third of the budget under the commitment of New York for 2010 was disbursed.
Moreover, CPH is a lack of transparency and no accountability from the Canadian government with regard to reconstruction projects and his counterpart at the Relief Fund for earthquake victims January 12. The government committed 14 January 2010 to match donations from Canadians who have finally amounted to 220 million. However, it was not until November that confirmed that its counterpart will be drawn from funds that had previously paid for emergency humanitarian aid and even commitment to New York.
The lack of a strategic framework and the slow disbursement contradict the Canadian government's claim to be a leading donor in Haiti, his first priority in the Americas and its second priority in the world .
Furthermore, the Government of Canada has abandoned its leadership role in defending human rights in favor of a security approach. All indicators abound in this sense: inordinate multiplication of projects related to stabilization and security in Haiti, whose budget is about $ 75 million, increasing the budget of Group for the stabilization and reconstruction (START), extension its contribution to MINUSTAH and increase the number of police and correctional officers.
So as an example, Canada has granted since the quake as 2.5 million to provide access to justice for the poorest citizens.
This security approach contributes to the loss of Canada's credibility within the international community, as confirmed by his recent defeat in obtaining a temporary seat on the Security Council of UN.
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is limited, in turn, on three thematic priorities:
1. increase food security,
2. ensure the future of youth and children,
3. his taged sustainable economic growth.
CIDA dismisses the coup any project aimed at protecting human rights and strengthening democracy in Haiti, two areas that were yet a priority in Canada's engagement in Haiti for decades. In addition, CIDA has abandoned its role in supporting the Haitian civil society.
The CPH denounces Canada's aid strategy in Haiti and recommends that the Government:
- Reflects amounts and content of the reconstruction projects it finances;
- Re directs its aid and develop a strategic framework for considering alternative development strategies;
- return to an approach focus on human rights and the establishment of the rule of law;
- Supports the creation of new spaces for dialogue and coordination with the Haitian State and Haitian civil society, while facilitating direct support to local actors.
After the New York conference of donors in March 2010, Minister Cannon said: " we have given generously and now we expect results [1] .
Before claiming the results, the CPH requires the Government of Canada begins its promises.
For analysis and detailed recommendations of the HCC, please refer to the document of political advocacy.
About Collaborative Haiti
Founded in 1994, CPH is a grouping of NGOs, organizations of civil society and individual members from Quebec who are involved in solidarity with the Haitian people.
organizations are members of the CPH Alternatives, Amnesty International, Association Québécoise Organizations International Education (CBIE) (observer), International Workers' Solidarity (CISO), Coalition for Environmental Protection and sustainable development in Haiti (COPEDH) Solidarity Committee / Trois-Rivières (CSTR), Development and Peace, Rights & Democracy (observer) , Equitas, Handicap International, L'Entraide missionary, OXFAM-QUEBEC, Coalition of Haitian-Canadian Development (ROCADH) , CUSO, YMCA Quebec.
Individual members are: Lody Auguste, Pierre Bonin, Madeleine Desnoyers, Catherine Duhamel, Francine Nemeh, Marlene Raker.
For additional information: Catherine Duhamel (514) 827-6903, Suzanne Loiselle (514) 270-6089,
Denis Labelle (418) 391-2310.
Denis Labelle (418) 391-2310.
[1] Statement by Minister Lawrence Cannon , 1 st April 2010.En line: www.international.gc .ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/125.aspx lang = eng )
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