Haiti - Gonaïves : Inauguration of a community shelter of $150,000
Mr. Anthony S. Chan, assistant editor of USAID, has inaugurated a community center in La Hatte Rocher, near Gonaives, along with Mr. Saint Justin Pierrelus, mayor of the town and many other representatives of the Haitian government.
The main objective of this construction is not only to provide area residents a shelter in case of natural disaster but also to provide space for various activities for the benefit of the people of Gonaives, such as formation sessions, seminars, civic education etc..
The building was built by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding from the U.S. government, through USAID for an amount of $ 150,000. This project is a pat of the framework of a vast program including a precise zoning of the sheltered zones or the restoration of several schools, inter alia. It should be noted that the shelter understands a space which can be used as deposit, a large water tank, a kitchen, and latrines.
During his speech, Mr Chann, reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to the people of Gonaives after the tragic events of 2004 and 2008 and the close collaboration required between the Haitian government, local authorities and communities to cope with natural disasters: "It is quite obvious that we cannot anything against nature but we have the duty to prepare us to meet the needs for the population. It is what we do in USAID in partnership with the Haitian government, of course, with the councils of the local authorities and the collaboration of the populations concerned"
