Cancel Haiti's debt and ensure poor areas don't miss out on reconstruction,
Oxfam urges foreign ministers
Debt cancellation is one of Oxfam's five priorities for Haitian reconstruction. The other elements are:
- Support for Haitian farmers and small business; - Ensure poor areas benefit from cash grants for poor areas to speed economic recovery; - Support for civil society and the Haitian government including 'ministries in a box'; - Build back better, e.g. earthquake proof buildings and alternative fuel sources to reduce deforestation
Haitian recovery risks being undermined by the country's debt burden and by a pre-existing food crisis that has left
Oxfam is also calling on donors to deliver on the IMF's pledge to turn a
"Immediate cancellation of foreign debt must be accompanied by urgent action to support farmers and prevent a man-made food crisis exacerbating the hardship faced by the people of
"This should take place alongside steps to speed the recovery of local markets such as cash grants to pay earthquake survivors to clear rubble and undertake other jobs linked to reconstruction."
Oxfam warned that donors, the UN and Haitian government must work together to ensure that poor areas that were amongst the hardest hit by the earthquake benefit fully from reconstruction efforts.
Hobbs said: "
Donors should step-up efforts to help the Haitian government and civil society recover from the disaster. This could include providing 'ministries in a box' - large tents containing the basic tools, such as telephones, desks and chairs, which are needed for a government department to operate.
Oxfam called on the sixteen foreign ministers of the 'Friends of
Hobbs said; "The leadership of the response must remain clearly in the hands of the United Nations and the Government of
Oxfam asked the UN to step up night security patrols to protect the civilian population and for improved coordination on security measures between the Haitian government and international military forces.
It warned that people in
For further information: Justine Lesage, Oxfam-Québec, (514) 513-0013
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