Thursday in the context of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Haiti was launched two new programs to improve on the one hand the food security and on the other hand, better protect the environment and vulnerable populations to climate risks.

The Convention relating to climate change, aims

Ambassador and Head of EU Delegation, Javier Niño Pérez and the Haitian government, through the National Authorising Officer of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) ; the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Thomas Jacques and Environment Minister, Jean Francois Thomas, officially proceeded to the signing of two Financing agreements for the 2013 Thematic Programme for Food Security amounting €7.3 million and the Support Programme for the consideration of climate change amounting to €6 million.

The 2013 Thematic Programme for Food Security aims to strengthen the capacity of the state to produce and manage relevant agricultural data in order to have an effective statistical tool for decision making. Particular attention will be paid to the food security of vulnerable populations in the Northwest and Artibonite, in particular by developing their means of subsistence and of production, by disseminating new production techniques.

The Convention relating to climate change, aims for its part the Integration of aspects related to climate change into development policies. Among the activities planned are the conduct of studies and assessments, building in adapted materials, substitution of charcoal by other renewable energy sources or even the diversification of lmeans of subsistence and incomes adapted to reduce the dependence on natural resources.

Jean Francois Thomas, noted that the Ministry of Environment can only rejoice and support the initiative of the European Union, which will bring a note of relief in the situation of environmental degradation and its consequences.

HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre