Live TV/Radio Debate
Ann Pote Kole Pou Nou Ka Reconstwi Ayiti
July 15th, 2010
Haiti held the first of what is expected to be a series of nationally televised "Town Hall" on 15 July 2010 with representatives of the Government, the international community, the Haitian civil society and the representatives of displaced communities taking centre stage to speak out about their plight. The debate was interactive with viewers and listeners sending in questions by SMS which were read out by the moderator Clarens Renois.
The radio and TV debate was organised by the government of Haiti, in partnership with the IOM, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the working group on Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC) to discuss the many and complex impacts of the 12 January earthquake. The programme which broadcast nationwide by the independent station Radio Tele Ginen and also transmitted on Haiti National Television and Radio (RTNH).
It showcased progress made by the Government and the international community six months after the quake, the challenges facing Haiti and priorities for the next six months. The lively debate focused on the challenge outlined by United Nations special envoy for Haiti and Former US President Bill Clinton, to 'Build Haiti Back Better'.
The four person panel consisted of Jocelerme Privert, Adviser to the President of Haiti, Guiteau Jean Pierre, Executive Director of the Red Cross, Herold Toussaint, Sociologist and Diego Osorio representing representing The Office of the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator. The debate centred on the emergency relief efforts and challenges during the past six months, the priorities for the next six months and the long- term strategy and challenges in rebuilding Haiti. Among the guests were two representatives of IDP camp committees.
The debate was electrified by the intervention of the two camp residents. Reynald Derazin asked the Government representative whether it had the interests of the displaced community at heart. A representative of the community in the Corail Camp then spoke of the terror suffered by the community during a violent storm on 12 July, during which a child was killed and over 200 tents destroyed.
The programme allowed humanitarian actors, the Government of Haiti to connect with Haitian people across the country just after the six month anniversary of the earthquake which killed between 217,000 and 230,000 people according to Haitian government estimates.
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Credit for photos: IOM
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