Haitian government has 52 million gourdes to handle damage from torrential rains
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – The Minister of the Interior and Local Authorities announced the release of an envelope of 52 million gourdes to deal with damage caused by the torrential rains that lashed several departments of the country from May 6 – 8.
At a press conference on Tuesday at the Prime Minister, François Joseph Annick said that, across all departments, authorities counted at least seven (7) dead, about 3,000 families affected, and twenty destroyed houses.
The Minister also mentioned the steps taken at the Civil Protection Department in order to assist and relocate victims. “We are now back in a dynamic reorientation of civil protection. Instead of focusing on relief after the damage, we will work more on prevention. ”
“Every Haitian who perished is one victim too many,” he lamented, before presenting the sympathies of the Government to the families of victims.
The National Meteorological Center, in collaboration with the Permanent Secretariat of Risk and Disaster Management, asked the inhabitants of areas at risk of not lower our guard, because of activities that could cause heavy rains are still possible on several departments.
The Government of the Republic and its partners have mobilized to support and assist the population, especially in the affected areas and risk areas.
Rihanna launches college scholarship program
The Clara Lionel Foundation is a nonprofit launched in 2012 by Rihanna that “works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts, and culture.” Today, the CLF launched a global scholarship program that will provide full college scholarships to students in Haiti,Barbados, Brazil, Cuba,Guyana, Jamaica, and the United States. The scholarships will be awarded up to $50,000, and will be renewed for three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned. Applications for this year’s scholarships will be accepted through June 10.
“To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honor,” Rihanna said in a statement. “Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this.”
CUNY unanimously approves the creation of the Haitian Studies Institute
BROOKLYN, NY – On Monday, May 2 at their board meeting the CUNY Board of Trustees voted to unanimously approve the creation of the Haitian Studies Institute (HSI) at Brooklyn College, New York Carib News reported.
Brooklyn is home to the largest concentration of people of Haitian descent in New York State. The Institute hopes to become a leading international research institute in Haitian Studies, supporting scholars and scholarship concerned with the discipline and to connect research through community outreach around policies that affect the lives of Haitian-Americans and Haiti.
“Last week marked an important occasion in the evolution of the Haitian Studies Institute with the opening ceremony of a two-day conference hosted by Brooklyn College and sponsored by the Haitian Studies Institute planning committee. I was joined by scholars, and other public officials to celebrate their contributions to the creation of this conference and the Institute. I was elated after hearing about the Board’s decision. This is a dream come true,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte.