Cap-Haitien, March 23, 2012.

LAUNCHING OF THE EARTHQUAKE PREVENTION PLAN FOR THE NORTH OF HAITI

Strengthening the resilience of the infrastructure and population to minimize economic and human losses during future earthquakes.

The earthquake prevention plan for the North, entirely funded by the HRF (U.S. $ 10 million), was officially launched at a formal ceremony at l'hostellerie Christ-Roi of Cap-Haitien. The Minister of Interior, Local authorities and National defense, Mr. Thierry Mayard Paul and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark were the main speakers. In front of Northern delegations, representatives from government, civil society and international organizations, they recalled that the project objective is to "strenghten resilience to reduce vulnerability of the population and economy for future earthquakes.”

The plan directly targets populations and infrastructure in three departments of northern Haiti, North, Northeast and Northwest. "This is a joint project between UNDP and the National System for Disaster and Risk Reduction, under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, funded by the Reconstruction of Haiti," said Ms. Clark.

Thierry Mayard-Paul, meanwhile, stressed the importance of this project under the government program to reduce risks especially after the earthquake of January 12, 2010. "It's a plan that will be complemented by other programs to reduce risk and flood." The Minister hoped that the implementation of this plan becomes a model for reducing seismic risks in other departments.

The coastal towns of the north face a high earthquake risk since they are located along the active “Septentrionale” fault zone responsible for the magnitude 8 earthquake of 1842. This earthquake is estimated to have killed 10% of the population of Cap Haitien at the time and to have devastated the cities of Port-de-Paix and Fort Liberté. However, urban development in the northern cities of the country has been carried out with no consideration for earthquake: no contingency plan exists for and training of community committees and departmental response staff does not include an earthquake component.

The project has therefore four specific objectives: risk assessment and vulnerability; planning for structural strengthening of priority infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, training and education, including students and building professionals, and public policy.

It is of particular importance to reduce the vulnerabilities as Cap-Haitien was identified by the Action Plan for National Recovery and Development of Haiti (PNARDH)as a host for infra-state development centreand, with Fort Liberté was selected for its tourism potential. Reducing these risks will impact positively on the economic and social activity.

To date staff has been hired as technical experts. Equipment purchases are underway and al committees have already been established. Moreover, the public education campaign has been launched. The project is planned over three years.