The Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has reported in its report presented Thursday the findings of a four-day visit to Haiti last June.

The report notes that "the situation on the ground has improved since its visit at the same time in the previous year. The progress made in clearing and reconstruction work in Port-au-Prince and neighbouring towns is visible and shows that Haitian society is mobilized and that the aid provided by the international community has been useful." The report also highlights the positive results in the efforts of resettlement of displaced persons and the fight against cholera.

"Aid coordination is a major challenge on which the Group has been focusing for several years. It has become particularly urgent in view of the greater number of development partners providing aid to Haiti and the resources committed to the reconstruction process" the report said. Almost all interlocutors of the group, consider that the lack of coordination may lead to duplication and reduce the effectiveness of the intervention.

Nigel Fisher, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in Haiti, told to the Panel that the implementation of the Government's priorities have been "seriously delayed" because of the impasse caused by the struggle between the President Michel Martelly and the Parliament on the appointment of new Prime Minister.

"The inability of the political actors to find a rapid solution to the impasse has negative consequences on international assistance, the prospects for development of Haiti and more the serious, on the people of Haiti," said Keith Morrill, Ambassador of Canada who heads the group.

The advisory group recommends the maintenance of a strong presence of the UN on the ground, that the actors present should pool their efforts and focus on local capacity building including in the provinces in a decentralization effort.

Finally, the Group recommends that the Government of Haiti, improves the agricultural productivity, the creation of jobs both in the public and private by the cooperation between social actors, the government and businesses.

HL/ HaitiLIbre