The Canadian government will build a new headquarters for the national police in Haiti and will launch a first-aid training program and cardio pulmonary resuscitation for members of the police force in Haiti, announced Thursday, the Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

Speaking in Montreal, the minister said these projects are the last of Canada's investments in rebuilding key institutions.

Construction of the new police headquarters will cost $9.5 million and will last two years.

In addition, a program of first aid training, will transfer substantial powers of intervention and rescue emergencies. will allow to transmit important lifesaving skills and emergency response. This program will be taught by St. John Ambulance Canada, to the members of the Haitian National Police for a cost of $1.3 million. They will acquire different skills such as emergency triage, stemming blood flow, transporting the injured, setting splints and applying bandages/slings, and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Once operational, the program of first aid will allow, over a period of two years to certify 50 first aid instructor trainers, 450 first aid instructors, and more than 7,000 first aid providers throughout Haiti, using St. John Ambulance curriculum. An additional component will bring an awareness of emergency preparedness management to 400 middle-to-senior level managers within the PNH. The First Aid Instructor Training in Haiti project is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Global Peace and Security Fund.

S/ HaitiLibre