Reinforcing the Haitian Civil Defense

Reinforcement of the national risk and disaster managment system
Context and Issue: 

Haitian news broadcasters, already fragile institutions, are acutely vulnerable to the major disasters that regularly affect the island. They suffered immensely following the earthquake on January 12, 2010 and were also disputed by subsequent hurricane seasons and public health emergencies. Many international organisations, in concert with Haitian civil defence bodies have increasingly recognised the need for coordinated emergency communications systems in order to increase preparedness for any future crises and to support ongoing reconstruction efforts.

Project's activities: 

Internews Europe, in coordination with the Haitian government, is creating a national education campaign to raise awareness about the training and recruitment of volunteer fire fighters, support to the department of civil defense and the prepositioning of emergency units packed with safety and rescue equipment. All levels of governmental officials are being trained in strategic communication in preparation for natural disasters. This ensures that the population is better aware of the prepositioned emergency units, and can take the lead in their management, and also show the local population that the national government is concerned with their security.

Project activities include:

  • A fictional and topical radio soap opera broadcast on partner radio stations
  • Public Service announcements and presentations
  • A 30 minute documentary in two parts, one for adults and one for children
  • 10 roundtables for the local press to cover the installation of the emergency units
  • 20 two-day workshops to train local governmental representatives in crisis communication and management.

To guarantee the effectiveness of the campaign, research is conducted by specialised personnel. The results are used as a reference tool to monitor and evaluate the campaign.

Participants and Beneficiaries: 

Up to 400 local and national governmental representatives (press officers, high-ranking governmental officials, departmental and communal level representatives), the media and the wider Haitian population.

Outcomes: 

Governmental officials are trained and coached to respond and communicate efficiently and effectively with the population in case of further natural disasters. A handbook on strategic communication has been designed and provides a framework for communicating with the population. Governmental officials receive complete briefings on the main stakeholders and donor organizations' main actions. This includes the development of Governmental Strategic Communication Infrastructure.

PROJECT NEWS

 
2012.01.10
> Reinforcing the Haitian Civil Defense
> Haiti
> Haiti Humanitarian Information Service
> Civil Protection and Disaster Preparedness in Haiti

Two years later: Good prospects for Haitian media

Since the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti Internews has worked intensively to rebuild and further develop the capacity of local media and of the government to communicate vital information to the crisis affected population.  
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Haiti, Humanitarian Response, Access To Information
 
 
2011.11.18
> Haiti
> Reinforcing the Haitian Civil Defense

Raising awareness in Haiti: a documentary on first aid training

A documentary showing voluntary emergency training has been recently released by Internews Europe in Haiti. Its purpose is to inform the concerned Haitian communities what measures are being undertaken to prevent future disasters and forms part of Internews’ extensive humanitarian media programme in the country.
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About Internews Europe
 
 
2011.06.07
> Reinforcing the Haitian Civil Defense
> Haiti

Haitian President Martelli Visits The Internews Project "Reinforcing The Civil Defense"

Haitian President Michel Martelly, Haitian first Lady and EU Ambassador Mrs Lut Faber participated Saturday 4th June to the closing ceremony of the emergency techniques training for volunteers organised by Internews in Haiti.
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Haiti, Governance And Human Rights, Media And Society
 

PHOTOS

  • First aid training in Moulins sur Mer, Haiti
  • First aid training in Moulins sur Mer, Haiti
  • First aid training in Moulins sur Mer, Haiti
  • First aid training in Moulins sur Mer, Haiti
  • First aid training in Moulins sur Mer, Haiti
  • Volunteers lend a hand to the Civil Defense Force during a flood (Haiti)
  • Mme Lut FABERT, European Union Ambassador to Haiti
  • Haitian President visit an Internews project on the 4th June 2011
  • Haitian Government and EU MoU signature 28 MARCH 2011
  • Haitian Government and EU MoU signature 28 MARCH 2011