In the six months since the earthquake that devastated Haiti on 12 January, UNDP has led several response efforts and aided the Haitian government and people in initiatives to reduce the risks of a future catastrophe.
One week after the earthquake, UNDP established a cash-for-work programme that to date has employed approximately 116,000 workers=97more than 40 percent of them women. Activities have included canal clearance and rubble and waste removal. A second project, coordinated with the World Food Programme, compensates workers with a combination of cash and food, and has to date employed 13,000 Haitians. Expansion of both programmes is ongoing.
UNDP contributed staff to the post-disaster needs assessment, led by the Haitian government, and provided support for the record-breaking 31 March International donors=92 conference in New York. The agency also aided departmental and national officials in disaster risk analysis and contingency planning=97critical exercises as the Atlantic hurricane season is already underway.
UNDP has also supported the Haitain government in the area of rule of law, providing basic equipment and temporary buildings and in the wake of the disaster, which enabled the Ministry of Justice to resume operation. Also, Haitian magistrates and prosecutors will receive training both in Haiti and abroad, with support from UNDP.
Resources:
Audio: Bruno Lemarquis from UNDP, discusses disaster risk reduction in Haiti.
Audio: Bruno Lemarquis from UNDP discusses the rule of law in Haiti.