UNICEF Canada's Nigel Fisher answers your questions on Haiti
 |
| © UNICEF/Haiti 2010/Fisher |
UNICEF's Nigel Fisher visits with children at a
temporary school outside of Leogane, Haiti. |
UNICEF Canada President and CEO Nigel Fisher has been in Haiti since February to oversee all humanitarian and peacekeeping operations following the devastating earthquake.
Nigel has several important roles in Haiti, including: Humanitarian Coordinator (in charge of all UN relief efforts), UN Resident Coordinator, (in charge of all UN agencies) and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (in charge of UN Peacekeeping).
As a UNICEF Canada supporter, you had the exclusive opportunity to ask Nigel about Haiti's reconstruction via Facebook, Twitter and email.
Here are your questions, answered below:
Q1: How is cleanup and reconstruction coming along? Not in news anymore.
Q2: Does Haiti still need support from Canada?
Q3: How effectively are NGOs, governments and civil society working together for recovery?
Q4: Is it wishful thinking that Haiti will emerge strong and resilient from this disaster?
Q5: What are the challenges facing the most vulnerable population: children under 5 years?
Q6: What is the single most important factor for Haiti for sustainable development?
Q7: What will the most difficult part of the transformation will be?
Q8: What is the oil slick's potential impact on Haiti, if any?
Q9: Nigel, what keeps you going and how do you retain your faith?
Q1: Wendy (from Twitter) asks: How is cleanup and reconstruction coming along? Not in news anymore.
A: Wendy, there are still over 1.3 million displaced people in camps. The good news is that basic water, sanitation and health care services have prevented major outbreaks of diseases and feeding programs have improved the nutritional status of young children. In April, thanks to UNICEF and partners, hundreds of schools reopened and more children are returning to school every day. However, the big challenge is to enable the displaced to go to better transitional shelters or back home. We are negotiating with the government to get land bought or assigned so that significant building can begin and cash-for-work programs has begun. You see change in Haiti, but the challenge is enormous. It will take years to clear up all the mess, while the poorest people will be in camps for a while. Our two main priorities now: to open more schools so that children can be educated and have hope for the future (less than half of Haitian children went to school before the quake) and to create jobs so that poor people can earn some money.
Q2: Brian Cook (from Twitter) asks: Does Haiti still need support from Canada?
A: Brian, billions of dollars were raised to help meet the immediate needs of the several million quake-affected Haitians for shelter, food, water, sanitation and health care. But Haiti is a chronically poor country in which 70% of the population lived in poverty before the quake so providing only short-term humanitarian assistance is not the answer. Haiti needs UNICEF and Canadian help for a much longer time to improve the education, sanitation and health care systems, and to invest in economic recovery and agricultural development so that life for the poor majority can really improve. Haitians want a hand up, not hand-outs, so it’s worth helping them to stand on their own feet.
Back to top
Q3: Michael Gretton (from Facebook) asks: Dear Nigel, thanks so very much for all that you and all at UNICEF Canada are doing to address the crisis in Haiti. I'm wondering if you could please share your observations on how effectively the NGO community, governments and civil society are working proactively and cooperatively, to not only bring relief and hope, but reconstruction and recovery to the people and city of Port-au-Prince.
A: Thanks Michael. On the whole, the humanitarian response has gone well, as displaced people have the basics and schools are reopening. UNICEF has been the team leader for all the agencies providing clean water, nutrition for children, education and child protection, and cooperation among all the actors has been pretty good. We are also working with other organizations and police and immigration officials in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to control child trafficking and create safe and protected spaces for children.
The Haitian government has traditionally been very weak. We all agree that we have to help it grow stronger but it’s going to take a long time to develop inclusive health and education systems and develop the economy to create jobs. Haiti will take years to rebuild and success will depend on the continued interest and support of Canada and other countries, organizations like UNICEF and the many NGOs here. We all need to work together in a systematic way and we will need continued support to ensure that we have the resources necessary to do our work.
Back to top
Q4: Dawn Upham (from Facebook) asks: Dear Nigel, Thank you for your efforts on behalf of UNICEF in Haiti. My greatest hope is that the Haiti that emerges from this disaster will be strong and resilient, that the aid coming in is not a mere band-aid but enough to drag this impoverished country out of the depths of misery and neglect it has been in for so long. Is this just wishful thinking on my part or is there hope for this nation?
A: Thanks Dawn. We have no alternative but to be hopeful! There seems to be a genuine commitment of all the international partners, as well Haitians in civil society, government and the private sector, to stay the course for the long term - investing in agriculture, infrastructure and economic development around the country to help the majority of Haitians who live in poverty.
UNICEF and partners are working together to help develop basic health care which will reach the poorest, better schools for all Haitian children, drinking water supplies that will extend beyond the 20% of the population that now has access to clean water. So I’m hopeful that after the shock of the earthquake, the world will not forget Haiti again, but stay around to help it get back on its feet. Haitians have been used to getting by on very little for a long time. They are resourceful and worth helping. And with decent education, today’s kids can lead Haiti towards a better future.
Back to top
Q5: Renée Sanden (from Facebook) asks: Hello Nigel. Thank you to UNICEF for all your efforts in Haiti. My concern is for one of the most vulnerable populations: the children under 5 years. Briefly what are the challenges facing the U5? What are the interventions UNICEF is providing? How can Canadians support your continued efforts?
A: Thanks Rénee. Before the earthquake, life for most Haitian children was extremely difficult. Most lived in poverty, suffered from malnutrition and had no access to clean drinking water. Sadly, more children in Haiti died before reaching their fifth birthday than in any other country in the western hemisphere. Parents living in poverty had no choice but to send their children to orphanages to receive one square meal a day. The earthquake exacerbated these problems and added a few more, as child traffickers try to prey on young children who have lost their parents.
UNICEF is tackling these problems head-on by leading water and sanitation, child nutrition, education and child protection initiatives. We’re extending the basic health care services for children and for mothers – from vaccinations to pre-natal check-ups – and informing parents on critical child-rearing skills. We are also protecting young children who have been separated from their families by setting up safe shelters, special child protection units, and an alert system with the Dominican Republic to control cross-border abductions. So much to do!
How can Canadians support our continuing efforts? Lots of ways, which include: Joining the 365 Days for Haiti campaign or sending your friends Gifts of Magic. You can also volunteer, help us raise funds or raise awareness. Thank you for asking!
Back to top
Q6: Daniel Roy (from Twitter) asks: What would you consider to be the single most important factor essential for Haiti to find a path toward sustainable development?
A: The single most important factor? Transform the Haitian child’s present and future by ensuring that every Haitian child receives a quality education. This will have ripple effects throughout Haitian society. The educated population will: be thoughtful and analytical; challenge political leaders to act in the best interests of all Haitians; transform the economy; build an equitable society; and educate and protect its own children. It’s a ‘virtuous cycle’ that will continue.
Back to top
Q7: Jessie Duncan (from Facebok) asks: I would like to know what Nigel feels the most difficult part of the transformation will be.
A: Jessie, it’s about the quality of leadership: getting leaders in the political and private sectors to work in the best interests of Haiti’s children and the most vulnerable rather than in their own narrow interests. It’s getting leaders to become advocates for children and ensure that the country’s resources are being invested in its children. It’s making sure that all the thousands of international organizations and NGOs work together, so that their contributions meet high and consistent standards.
Back to top
Q8: David Rozansky (from Twitter) asks: What is the oil slick's potential impact on Haiti, if any?
A: David, if BP can contain the flow, then maybe the oil that has already leaked out will break up before it gets anywhere near Haiti’s shores. But it is a reminder to Haiti that environmental protection must be a priority. The country suffers from devastating floods during the hurricane season, mainly because Haiti has been stripped of trees and other land cover. Agricultural production has collapsed and the majority of the rural population lives in abject poverty. Reforestation and alternative energy sources will all help protect the environment here.
Back to top
Q9: Michael Page (from Facebook) asks: Nigel, I understand that you have been witness to the horrors of war, famine, genocide, natural disasters, etc. What keeps you going and how do you retain your faith?
A: Good question Michael. From Rwanda to Afghanistan to Iraq to Haiti and more! I think a number of things keep me going. When you see a separated child reunited with her family, when you see an AIDS orphan who had no hope smiling radiantly because she’s going to school, when you see a child traumatized by violence and loss laughing again – you hold onto these images and you remember why you are there. When you are able to stand up to warlords and negotiate the release of children from armed groups, and you see those kids back in a protected environment, struggling to regain their childhood, it makes it all very worthwhile. It’s truly wonderful to work for a leadership organization like UNICEF; we innovate so much to protect children in times of crisis. Most of all, kids themselves restore your faith in the human race. Children can bounce back from even the worst experiences and it’s wonderful to lead a UNICEF team that can help make that happen. Last but not least, I’m an eternal optimist – there’s no choice. I tell myself that things will get better, that we can make a difference – and we do!
Back to top