The tour in Jacmel, of the Ambassador of France accredited to Haiti, Patrick Nicoloso from January 23 to 26, is an opportunity to take stock of the French cooperation in the Southeast.

The action of France in this region, primarily focuses on the city of Jacmel through support to local institutions and urban development programs. Nearly 13 million euros have been committed since 2007, through various programs.

Support to local institutions is offered by various French actors. Thus, the French Development Agency (AFD) in collaboration with the city of Strasbourg, finance a support program for waste management, the operation of municipal services and local finances. Moreover, since 2013, France and Spain financed the rehabilitation of administrative buildings of the city, severely damaged in January 2010. Training for local public authorities (municipality, delegates and vice delegates, clerks of Courts of Peace) and Civil Society (Human Rights) have also been provided with the support of the Embassy.

Urban planning meanwhile, revolves around two main axes :

• The fight against the floods, with the completion of work to strengthen bridges and banks of the "Grande rivière" of Jacmel and of Gosseline and the creation of a dam at the mouth of the "Grande rivière". Reinforcement work on the river des Orangers will begin in 2014 ;

• A Technical assistance in the area of ​​drinking water to support the implementation of reforms in the water sector and urban development. This program is funded by the French Development Agency.

In addition, a French Alliance (Haitian Association) present in Jacmel for over 90 years welcomes each year about 500 students for French courses and computer. It also offers cultural activities in and outside its walls: lectures, film screenings, concerts, theatrical performances or exhibitions. The Alliance has a library and workstations available to its members.

The surroundings of Jacmel are also concerned by the French action. Thus, the non-governmental organization "Agronomist and Veterinarians without Borders" (AVF) has established an assistance program to the production and processing of milk, funded two-thirds by France.

Also recall that since 2011, the city and the urban community of Strasbourg opened their actions at rural areas around Jacmel, through a program to support early childhood.

In addition, a decentralized cooperation agreement was also signed in 2010 between Marigot and the town of the "pays Loudunais" (the department of Vienne, France). Since then, the partnership has been engaged in various activities: scholarships, support to the construction of a health center, support to the construction of a school... A project in support to the collection and treatment of waste in the town of Marigot is being set up.

Finally, note that France also participated in the construction of a primary school in Orangers, a village near Jacmel, which now houses 500 students.

HL/ HaitiLibre