The situation of over one million displaced Haitians, continues to preoccupy organizations established in the Dominican Republic as the foundation for the "empowerment sociocultural Haitian-Dominican" and the Network Jacques Viau.

During a meeting held last week, at the Center Bono in Santo Domingo, Lino Joseph, president of the Foundation, announced to the Support Group for Refugees and Repatriated Persons (Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés GARR) holding a big rally on November 6th. By this gesture, "We want to send a direct message of support to the Haitian people and show the world that our silence until now, is far from being naive or stupid. It is unacceptable" says Joseph that " about 10 months after the earthquake, despite the aid pledged", no real change is observed in the fate of our displaced.

The Head of the Haitian-Dominican Foundation urged Haitians around the world, to mobilize greater support for the country as "our brothers and sisters out of this mess", adding that "genuine solidarity, without demagogy, not can only come from us, the son and daughters of Haiti".

Recalling that about a month ago, Sept. 20, 2010, the Network Jacques Viau, a group of organizations Haitian-Dominican, had made a bi-national workshop on the problem of IDPs in Haiti. Several civil society organizations including the Haitian GARR, had participated in the workshop entitled "Towards a breakthrough for the rights of displaced earthquake of 12 January". On this occasion, a preliminary report on the humanitarian response offered by the various entities of the network, was distributed.

"The earthquake occurred in Haiti, caused the largest urban humanitarian disaster XXI century, and continues to demand innovative responses from the different actors involved", says the report also draws attention that earthquake victims are on both sides of the border.

In this vein, Jacques Viau Network deplored the weakness of the international legal framework against survivors of natural disasters seen the non-binding guidelines on the issue of IDPs in Haiti. Those who cross the border Dominican does not receive protection equivalent, deplores the human rights organization. "These displaced Haitians have strategic needs in the Dominican Republic and require special attention from the organizations of civil society and greater openness of the Dominican authorities", said the report.

This bi-national workshop organized by the Network Jacques Viau in Santo Domingo, was completed on proposals for follow-up support as appropriate to provide victims of the earthquake that migrated to the Dominican Republic.

HL/ HaitiLibre