This Saturday, May 18 Haitians, including the large Haitian American community in South Florida, will celebrate Haitian Flag Day, a very important event on the Haitian calendar, and marked by events like street parades, cultural presentations, concerts, church services, lectures and exhibitions related to Haiti's history.
Flag Day is held annually on May 18 to celebrate Haiti's independence from France. In 1804, Haiti, which was once a colony of France, was the first Black nation to fight for and attain its independence, and when the nation gained its status as a Republic its red, white and blue flag became a very proud national symbol, so important that Haitians designated a special day, May 18, to honor the Haitian Flag.
In Haiti, Flag Day is a major national holiday celebrated with great fanfare. Before the 2010 earthquake the focal point of the celebration was on the grounds of the national palace in Port-au-Prince.

In order to reduce the problems of Haiti's most vulnerable populations affected by food insecurity, the Haitian government has set up a technical committee to define best response strategies. This committee has already identified several work streams involved in the distribution of food, the undertaking of actions of High Intensity Manpower (HIM) and the establishment of strategic stocks of food. To this end, the government plans to distribute food rations to 160,000 families and to promote the creation of 100,000 jobs through labor-intensive activities. Meanwhile, the Economic and Social Assistance Fund continues its normal program and plans to distribute 50,000 emergency bonds and 50,000 baskets of solidarity.

In addition, a strategic framework, "the emergency agricultural rehabilitation" was developed by the government to increase agricultural production. The most affected 44 communes were chosen to conduct targeted actions prioritizing conservation of water resources through the rehabilitation, construction of sites, the installation of pumps, construction of lakes, crop production, access to improved seeds and support to the livestock and poultry.

Last Friday, Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, and former Canadian Governor General, participated in the international meeting of the Coordination framework of the External Aid for Development (CAED) of Haiti.

At the invitation of Haiti's government she held discussions on the assessment of the contribution of the international community in emergency and reconstruction efforts in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake.

Jean focused on reforms and strategies put forward by the Haitian government to attract investors, boost the economy and fight against the extreme poverty that continues to afflict thousands of Haitians.

Canada, the United States, France, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Qatar and Norway were among donor countries represented at meeting, along with the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the United Nations.

Jean said the impact of the earthquake has generated an international solidarity with the Haitian people, never seen before. But, despite this solidarity it became necessary to build effective plans for the reconstruction efforts on a solid foundation. She noted such a plan was presented to the UN at an international meeting on March 31, 2010, at which there were substantial promises of technical and financial assistance from the international community.

American actor Sean Penn, founder and CEO of J/P Haitian Relief Organization(J/P HRO) that was formed shortly after the devastating 2010 earthquake has appointed Haitian Gary Philoctete as national director of the organization, the first time for a Haitian national.
Over the three years since its formation J/P HRO has made gains for sustainable community development. Philoctete's appointment comes as the organization moves to a new level of involvement in the reconstruction of Haitian communities.
In making the leadership announcement, Penn said, "The extraordinary evolution of the J/P HRO, from the step of emergency response organization to that of flagship organization in sustainable development is the result of our alignment with the Haitian people" he commended the outgoing National Director, Benjamin Krause for having done an exemplary job based on the guidelines, commitment and service to the people of Haiti. He said Philoctete brings decades of valuable experience to the organization

Philoctete will lead a team of approximately 350 employees, of which 95 percent are Haitians. Under his leadership, J/P HRO will continue its mission to rebuild a stronger Haiti, by supporting the community of Delmas 32 while transforming the residents lives through four areas: healthcare, camp management and relocation of the displaced, engineering and construction, and community development. Moving towards a new phase of development activities in Haiti, the programs of J/P HRO will continue to provide training related to livelihood and jobs for national workers.

"In three years, J/P HRO has become known as one of the most effective organizations working in Haiti. I will continue to rely on established practices," Philoctete said. "This is an exciting time for all Haitians. We are entering a new phase of reconstruction, and I am fortunate to be accompanied by a large team to achieve common goals."