Haiti prepares for 2017 Hurricane season
PORT AU Prince, Haiti (CMC) – Haiti has called on all stakeholders to pool resources as the country launched its preparation for the six month 2017 Hurricane season that ends in December.
President Jovenel Moise, speaking at a ceremony to launch the occasion, said that it was necessary to continue “to raise (the) awareness the population of the threats that will bring the first six months for their personal safety and of their property.“I therefore call on all sectors to continue efforts for a pooling of resources. I encourage state and civil society actors to come together and redouble their vigilance,” he said, adding “I will be at your side with the entire government to accompany you throughout this worrying period”.While he welcomed the efforts of the State and its partners, in particular the World Meteorological Organisation, for the establishment of the Hydrometeorological Unit of Haiti, Moïse insisted on the need to give each citizen messages and positive role models to adopt during the season.The ceremony took place at the National Urgent Operations Centre (COUN), was also attended by the Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities, Dr Max Rudolph Saint-Albin, the Presidents of the two Chambers, Youri Latortue and Cholzer Chancy, parliamentarians, mayors of the metropolitan area and representatives of the Civil Society and the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC).“Preparation actions for the hurricane season, both at the central and departmental levels, have been initiated in the first months of the year and will continue throughout the season,” said Saint-Albin, adding that among some of the actions already undertaken, include a list of temporary shelters in the country.Last year, Hurricane Matthew killed hundreds of people as it tore through the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, with most of the deaths occurring in towns and fishing villages around the southern coast, with many killed by falling trees, flying debris and swollen rivers.