Haiti Solidarity Blog
The reconnaissance mission sent by the Scouts et Guides de France, supported by World Scouting, left Santo Domingo at 6:00am (local time) this morning. It is part of the International Federation of the Red Cross convoy. The convoy will meet up with the representatives of MINUSTAH (UN) at the border. Their arrival at the Port-au-Prince airport is expected at around 17:00pm. The mission's transportation is assured by a vehicle that has been by the Youth Ministry of the Dominican Republic, who has also sent a special envoy with them,who will serve as the link with the haitian Youth Ministry.
Upon arrival, the mission will link up with the representatives of Haitian Scouting and proceed to confirm partnerships with the UN agencies on site. The MINUSTAH representative in Jacmel has stated that “Scouts are the only efficient youth association that they can work with. This efficiency will be bolstered by the logistical materials being brought by the French Scout mission, the initial support being put at the disposal of the Haitian Scouts thanks to the donations received after one week. It is to be noted that the French Scout association has decided to cover the expenses for this particular mission, in order not to affect the integrity of the donations. On the same note, a secure means of transferring funds, is being put into place with the re-establishment of the Haitian banking system.
In the coming hours, the analysis of the immediate emergency needs will be confirmed and circulated to the National Scout Organizations, who have expressed the desire to assist in the collection of the necessary materials. In the next few days, the Scout coordination will also perform a post emergency analysis of the needs so as to establish an action plan for the reconstruction efforts.
During the last 2 days, the Dominican Scout Association has been working on the preparation of this mission, in direct relation with the Scouts et Guides de France and the World Scout Bureau. Its high level contacts with state officials and the United Nations system has allowed the objectives of the mission to be assured.
In Geneva, WOSM works to provide support through the natural partners of the Movement that are the United Nations agencies (OCHA, UNICEF,UNHCR) and the Red Cross, as well as continuing the international call for donations.
After the violent quake which struck Haiti, World Scouting is mobilising in order to help the 30,000 Scouts of Haïti so that they can come to the aid of the stricken population. In the name of World Scouting, a message of solidarity and compassion, was sent to Haitian Scouts, even though it is very difficult to get into contact with them for the moment. A volunteer cooperation specialist from “Scouts et Guides de France” (Scouts and Guides of France) is on site in Port-aux-Princes, to support the coordination of the international Scout aid.
A precise indication of what the needs are of the stricken families in terms of goods of first necessity, has been made possible thanks to the contacts, although limited, that have been made at this time. In fact, the 30,000 Haitian Scouts are essential relays between the emergency NGOs and the local population. Their action during the hurricane of 2008, has shown their capacity to act efficiently in operations of clearing, cleaning, decontamination and also by taking care of children that have been left to their own devices, as well as by building emergency camps.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Scout Association of Haiti,
It is with horror and dismay that we heard about the tragedy which struck Haiti and it's people.
Fate seems to be ravaging your country which deserves anything but a new cataclysm of this magnitude.
On-behalf of the World Scouting Committee, the Word Scouting Bureau and your 30 million brothers and sisters around the world, I wish to share with you the sorrow and dismay that we feel for the Haitian population, and especially our friends of the Haitian Scouts who are in emotional and physical pain due to this adversity.
We address our most sincere condolences to all our brothers and sisters of the Scouts, and to the Haitian community, our deepest regrets for the loss of your brothers and sisters, throughout this crisis. To the injured, we wish for your rapid recovery and to the affected families, we address our sympathy. We are with you at heart and know that the same is true for the millions of Scouts worldwide who join us with their prayers.
We are behind you in action and have launched an global call for aid so as to support the Haitian Scout family and its efforts. Ever since the announcement of this horrific catastrophe, we have desperately been trying to contact you and plead that you get in touch with us as soon as you have been able to read this message. May God be with you.
Brotherly salutations,
Luc Panissod
