The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced Canada's support to assist five severely earthquake-affected municipalities in Haiti to better recover from the impact of the January earthquake. The project will be implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and includes participation from the City of Montréal and the Union of Quebec Municipalities.

"The five Haitian municipalities targeted by this initiative are among those that suffered the worst of the devastation wrought by the January earthquake," said Minister Oda. "There is a pressing need to rapidly move ahead with reconstruction and rebuild their institutional capacity to restore essential services to their citizens. "I am proud that Canadian municipalities will help Haitian communities to better provide services such as the management of land, local roads and bridges, small ports, water and sanitation infrastructure, marketplaces, and garbage collection, among other functions. These are essential to stimulate the economy and meet the real needs of the population, including those of women and children."

The five Haitian municipalities targeted by this initiative are Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Gressier, Petit-Goâve and Grand-Goâve. The project was designed in close collaboration with these Haitian municipalities and is based on the needs expressed by them and their constituents.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities will lead the project overall and focus its own contribution on institutional strengthening in four municipalities, and the City of Montréal will focus on institutional strengthening in Port-au-Prince. The Union of Quebec Municipalities will contribute its expertise in strategic planning, local governance, environmental management, economic development, and gender equality. It will also provide technical assistance to Haiti's municipal associations and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities.

This project is aligned with Haiti's Action Plan for National Recovery and Development. The Government of Canada will provide more than $7.2 million over three years for this project. This funding is part of Canada's $400-million commitment for the recovery and reconstruction of Haiti and is an initiative under the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

HL/ HaitiLibre