Friday, as part of the humanitarian assistance program (HAP) aimed at strengthening the response capacity of civil protection structures across the country, which is part of the cooperation between the U.S. and Haitian government in the management of risks, representatives of the two countries have proceeded to Raymond les Bains [municipality of Cayes-Jacmel], at the inauguration of the Departmental Center for Emergency Operations (COUD) of Southeast consists of an operation center, a warehouse, and a fire station, the total cost of the project amounts to U.S. $ 200,000.

Recall that the program HAP aims to put in place emergency operations centers, taking into account the characteristics and needs in Haiti and fire stations. Build and equip warehouses to ensure the availability of humanitarian supplies, train staff of COUD and warehouses and revise the national training plan.

In his speech, Major Alexis Gartner, representing the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, said that these new structures were built by the HAP Southern Command of U.S. Forces in Haiti, together with the U.S. Embassy , USAID and the Haitian government.

The new Operations Center, a prefabricated metal building 400 m2 that meets all the standards, includes a conference room for official and another for ordinary conferences, an internet room, a electrical control , kitchen and also has three 80-kilowatt generators and tank 10,000 gallons. The warehouse has an area of ​​480 m2 and the Fire Station 340 m2.

According to Pierre Michel Lafontant Departmental Delegate of Southeast, this COUD is one of the devices that anticipate the axis of towns of Jacmel, Cayes-Jacmel and Marigot as a major metropolitan area where mutuality, could be used in the development and protection of the inhabitants of the whole department. Stressing that the government was committed to provide the means necessary for the operation and maintenance of these facilities.

For his part, Mr. Hertz Obas, Director General of the Ministry of Interior said he was aware that the Centre can not solve everything in terms of risks "We must continue to work to invest in reducing hazards present at the Department of Southeast."

n addition, under the HAP program, about forty executives, including members of municipal committees of civil protection in the Southeast, have received training in risk management and warehouse managements and received on this occasion their certificate.

HL/ HaitiLibre / Claudy Bélizaire (Correspondant Jacmel)