The just-published 2012 Annual Report on Switzerland's International Cooperation sets out a unified strategy that encompasses – for the first time – humanitarian aid, technical and financial cooperation, economic and trade policy measures, and cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe. SDC Director-General Martin Dahinden and State Secretary and Director of SECO Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch stress that this important milestone has been welcomed both by Parliament and by public opinion.

OVERVIEW

Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) experience a multitude of natural hazards, including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, landslides, volcanoes, forest fires, and drought. El Niño, a climate pattern that occurs on average once every three to seven years, periodically exacerbates the impacts of hydrometeorological events. Environmental degradation and poor land-use management also increase populations’ vulnerability to natural hazards.

The study presented in this report is based on one month of field research in Port-au-Prince, from 19 August to 21 September 2012. It aims to define what the communitybased approach is in urban contexts. To do this, the research aims to clarify the notion of community in Haiti, and look at operational issues related to the community-based approach. The study therefore focuses on the different solidarity relations and community-based ties which exist in Haiti and makes a number of recommendations to improve the way this approach is applied in the field.

INTRODUCTION

This report, for the period 1 June – 30 November 2012, is the first semiannual report, covering the first six months in the 2012/2013 fiscal and policy year for CCRIF. It is designed to provide an update on progress during this period towards achievement of CCRIF’s Strategic Objectives (see Figure 1) as defined in the CCRIF Strategic Plan 2012/2013 – 2014/2015. In providing this progress update, this report also illustrates how the Facility upholds its customer values.

The report presents:

Forward

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to share the second edition of the Global CCCM Cluster Newsletter.

This edition provides an update on cluster tools, partners and operations, and highlights issues of current concern to the cluster. In particular, it focuses on the importance of effective partnerships in CCCM operations, and considers how global initiatives such as the Transformative Agenda will impact cluster strategies.

Thousands of people are still dealing with the hurricane's effects, especially in Cuba where a lack of funding is hampering the response.

Preface

MARIANO FERNáNDEZ Amunátegui Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général en Haïti

The sub-programme

From the Balkans to Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan and Haiti, UNEP has responded to crisis situations in more than 40 countries since 1999, delivering world-class environmental expertise to national governments and partners in the UN family.

In response to increased global awareness of the environmental dimensions of crises, and to growing demand for the services that address them, UNEP has identified “disasters and conflicts” as one of its six priority areas.

UNEP’s Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch coordinates the theme.

FAITS SAILLANTS

• Lancement du plan d’action humanitaire 2013 sur fond de transition.

• La tendance à la baisse de l’épidémie de choléra maintenue en 2012.

• Le gouvernement haïtien prend progressivement le leadership des mécanismes de coordination de la réponse aux urgences.