UNCTAD: AID TO HAITI STARTS WITH DEBT CANCELLATION

GENEVA, Jan 31 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) called Haiti creditors to start aiding the earthquake-stricken nation by cancelling its debt, according to a policy brief released here.

The massive response of the international community to the earthquake that hit Haiti on Jan 12, has understandably been directed towards saving lives and providing immediate relief to the victims.

The way to proceed, says UNCTAD, is to declare an immediate moratorium on debt servicing, followed by its cancellation as quickly as possible.

Even at this stage, says UNCTAD, it is necessary to think about the finances and the reconstruction work required to rebuild the Haitian economy, put its people back to work and provide a more hopeful future.

Shocks on such a scale can lead to a vicious cycle of economic distress, more external borrowing, burdensome debt servicing, and insufficient investment to mitigate future shocks.

Despite having recently benefited from debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) and Multilateral Debt Relief (MDRI) Initiatives, Haiti was already classified as being at high risk of debt distress prior to the earthquake, in large part because of the numerous and successive external shocks that have recently hit the country.

Considering the large direct cost of the earthquake (conservative estimates put this at 15% of GDP), in the absence of further international action a new debt crisis is all but assured.

A sustainable recovery will also depend on the revival and creation of state capacities to handle public finance, implement an emergency housing programme, create jobs and strengthen public security.

The way to proceed, says UNCTAD, is to declare an immediate moratorium on debt servicing, followed by its cancellation as quickly as possible.

The challenge facing Haiti underscores the need for a serious rethink of the mechanisms for handling the economic consequences of natural disasters.

UNCTAD stresses there is no multilateral mechanism to provide debt relief aimed at reducing the debt burden of disaster-stricken countries and urges to create such mechanisms.

Meanwhile in WASHINGTON, Choice Hotels International announced it will not leave Haiti, decision hailed by the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) director Lelei LeLaulu for the redoubling the franchisor’s commitment to Haiti after this month’s deadly earthquake.

Earlier this month, Choice announced that a new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel would mark the first-ever Choice-brand properties for the nation of Haiti.

Stephen P. Joyce, Choice’s President and CEO, is rallying resources at the corporate and associate level to have a positive impact on the humanitarian and development efforts underway in Haiti both today and for the future.

The executive announced that as an organization, Choice is making use of its vast distribution network and partnerships at an upcoming Kickoff To Rebuild community revitalization event in the US on Feb 4.

“Haiti needs all hands on deck at this time, and we look forward to more companies following Choice’s example because tourism is the one industry which can, relatively quickly, speed the creation of jobs and the revival of business in this devastated but culturally rich nation,” said LeLaulu. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA

UN FOOD AGENCY BEGINS MAJOR SCALE UP OF AID TO HAITI QUAKE VICTIMS

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 31 (NNN-UNNS) — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Saturday began ramping up its operations in Haiti by opening 16 fixed food distribution sites offering supplies to some 2 million people affected by the massive earthquake in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

?Up until now the nature of this emergency has forced us to work in a ‘quick and dirty’ way simply to get food out,? said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

Characterizing the emergency relief operation in Haiti ¬- struck by a 7.0-magnitude tremor on Jan 12 – as the most complex ever faced by the agency, Ms. Sheeran said that the 16 fixed sites are an important step towards achieving food stability.

?This distribution system will not only allow us to reach more people, it will give us the qualitative step we need to facilitate the delivery of all kinds of humanitarian assistance in the weeks and months to come,? stressed Ms. Sheeran.

The distribution sites aim to reach over 2 million people during a two-week period under the leadership of the Haitian Government, and in coordination with the UN Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the US military, and a group of key non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The scale-up of the operation begins Saturday with distributions of coupons to families across Port-au-Prince, and the first distributions will take place at all 16 sites on Sunday, continuing for 15 days.

Each family will receive a 25 kilogramme ration of rice, with only women being allowed into distribution sites to collect their share. WFP and its partners will work with the local authorities to ensure that men in need of assistance are not excluded.

Separate from this new operation, distributions to those affected by the earthquake currently living outside Port-au-Prince will continue, as will specialist support to hospitals and orphanages.

WFP’s response has been hampered by the almost complete decimation of the city’s infrastructure, the destruction of the supply chain to move food and other supplies into and around the country, and the huge scale of need.

Despite all these obstacles, WFP said it has reached nearly 600,000 people with over 16 million meals since the earthquake struck. — NNN-UNNS

CUBA: MINISTER OF THE BASIC INDUSTRY CALLS FOR MORE ENERGY SAVING

HAVANA, Jan 31 (NNN-ACN) — The Cuban Minister of the Basic Industry, Yadira Garcia, said that the implementation of measures to save conventional energy and its efficient exploitation, as well as the increase in the use of renewable sources of energy, are top priorities for the present year.

Garcia said that it is important to take advantage of alternative sources such as the biomass, a by-product of the sugar industry with a high potential.

Likewise, the member of the Politburo of the Cuban Communist Party insisted on the need to use renewable energy sources such as windmills, solar panels and heaters, and others that are not exploited enough.

She also stressed the important role that grass-root organizations, such as the Committees in Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) and the Cuban Women?s Federation (FMC), play in raising awareness among the people about the need to save energy.

The minister was speaking in a meeting presided over by Commander of the Revolution and Vice President of the councils of State and Ministers, Ramiro Valdes, that was held in Santiago de Cuba to analyze the energy situation in the eastern region of the country.

Vicente de la O Levy, General Director of the Electric Union, announced that, until Jan 24, there was a 4.6% reduction in the expected national consumption of energy, which means the saving of 12,300 tons of oil. — NNN-ACN

CUBAN VP SIGNS BOOK OF CONDOLENCES FOR HAITI QUAKE VICTIMS

HAVANA, Jan 31 (NNN-ACN) — On behalf of the Cuban government and people, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, vice president of the State Council, signed the condolence book for
the victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan 12.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

Lazo reiterated the Cubans´s sorrow for the tragedy experienced by this sister nation and its unconditional support and solidarity with the suffering people.

The Cuban vice president was greeted by Victor Généus, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Cuba, who warmly thanked the Cuban medical aid at this terrible time.

From Feb 1, the book of condolences will be open to the public. — NNN-ACN

HEALTH MINISTER TO VISIT ABU DHABI FOR GCC MEETINGS

KUWAIT, Jan 31 (NNN-KUNA): Health Minister Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer is planned to visit Abu Dhabi, Monday, to take part in a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) health officials, the ministry said on Sunday.

A ministry statement said Al-Sayer is to take part in the GCC Health Ministerial Council’s 68th meeting, which convenes February 2-3.

Member of the GCC Health Council’s Executive Authority Dr. Yousef Al-Nisif told KUNA the two-day meeting would discuss a detailed report on the activities and achievements of the Executive Office of the GCC Council Ministers of Health, in addition to the decisions, latest recommendations, and scientific developments which help develop the health services in the GCC member states.

The agenda also includes items on quality of health care, patient safety, alternative and complementary medicine, the World Health Survey, the pandemic of swine flu and primary health care, and media’s handling of health issues and whether it spreads awareness or panic.

The conference would also discuss bulk joint purchase of pharmaceuticals, hospital gear, and material and equipment used in oral health care, blood transfusion, heart surgery, bone and spinal surgery, and medical rehabilitation, the official pointed out.

Al-Nisif expressed satisfaction with coordination level among the GCC countries and the keenness to implement the recommendations and realize the directives of GCC health officials.

-NNN-KUNA

AU STARTS PAYING UGANDA PEACEKEEPERS IN SOMALIA

KAMPALA, Jan 31 (NNN-NEW VISION) — THE African Union (AU) has begun paying the outstanding allowances of the UPDF troops currently on a peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The troops had remained unpaid since May last year.

Donors had halted payments of the Ugandan peacekeepers, which are channelled through the AU bank accounts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the defence ministry headquarters in Kampala, defence minister Crispus Kiyonga said: ?More than six months ago, the African Union secretariat got problems and payments could not continue. But about a month ago, the flow of payments began. The arrears are being paid and all the soldiers will be cleared.?

He added that the arrears of compensation to the injured and the dead soldiers would also be paid.

A peacekeeper is entitled to a monthly allowance of $750 (about sh1.4m). In the event of death, the soldier?s family receives $50,000 (about sh90m) as compensation.

Since 2007, Uganda has contributed troops to Somalia under the AU peacekeeping mission, AMISOM, to support the transitional federal government, led by president Sheikh Shariff Ahmed. Burundi is the other country contributing troops.

A total of 37 Ugandan peacekeepers have been killed since 2007.

There are six battalions of over 5,200 Ugandan and Burundian troops under AMISOM in Somalia, below the expected 8,000 peacekeepers.

During the press conference, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, said unless other African countries fulfilled their pledges to contribute peacekeepers, the situation in Somalia would remain unstable.

?We continue waiting for friends of Somalia to come,? Nyakairima said, adding that Uganda was considering deploying more forces to the war-torn country.

Commenting on the LRA, Gen. Nyakairima said the rebel group?s leader, Joseph Kony, has only about 250 guns in his possession.

He disclosed that Kony is held up in an area, 2,000 km away from Uganda in a difficult terrain between Central African Republic, south Darfur and the western Bahr el Ghazal regions of Sudan.

?It is almost a month with no reported LRA activities in the Central African Republic and Southern Sudan,? Nyakairima said.

He also said the remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces rebels remain active in neighbouring Congo, but talks about the possibility of a joint military operation on the rebel positions were underway.

Commenting on the Karamoja region, Nyakairima said the area had been made pacified, although small arms keep finding their way into the area from neighbouring countries. He added that the army would also support the Police to quell violence. — NNN-NEW VISION

IRAN WANTS FURTHER COOPERATION WITH SOUTH KOREA

TEHRAN, Jan 31, (NNN-IRNA): Secretary General of the Chamber of Cooperatives said Iran is ready to deepen cooperation with South Korea, particularly in the field of cooperatives.

Hossein Rahmani-Nia made the remarks in his meeting in Tehran on Saturday with South Korean Ambassador to Iran Kim Young-Moke.

Rahmani-Nia said Iran is keen on sharing South Korea?s experiences in the fields of agriculture and fishing.

Meanwhile, the South Korean ambassador hoped the ground will be soon prepared for further bilateral cooperation.

Young-Moke said his country wants not only agricultural relations with Iran but transportation cooperation with the country as well.

-NNN-IRNA

IRAN:LARIJANI URGES IIPU TO ESTABLISH ISLAMIC PARLIAMENT

TEHRAN, Jan 31, (NNN-IRNA): Iran?s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani urged the Inter-Parliamentary Union to prepare the necessary ground for establishment of an Islamic parliament.

Larijani made the remarks in the opening ceremony of the sixth IIPU general assembly.

Referring to the establishment of a union by European countries over five decades ago which, he said, facilitated exchanges and promoted friendly co-existence among them, he said the rich sources of energy, old civilizations, vast human resources and brilliant geo-political positions some of the Islamic countries were enjoying now provided a unique opportunity to further strengthen the IIPU.

He further focused on the heavy responsibility of the political elite and parliament members in Islamic countries in confronting the numerous crises created by the US and Israel which are designed to create division among Islamic states and Muslim countries should enhance their status in the world arena by adopting fresh initiatives.

The Iranian speaker also believed that the Islamic countries should not regard the IIPU as the ultimate of their goals and should work to prepare the ground for establishment of an Islamic parliament.

Outlining the present situation in Palestine, he urged the IIPU to adopt a decisive position on the issue in its current session.

-NNN-IRNA

NUMBER OF PEOPLE UPROOTED BY VIOLENCE IN YEMEN TOPS 250,000: UN

TEHRAN, Jan 31,(NNN-IRNA): As the humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to deepen, the United Nations refugee agency last weekend said that it estimates that 250,000 civilians have been uprooted since clashes in the country erupted in 2004.

According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) here on Sunday, the number has become more than doubled since just last August.

In the past six weeks, some 7,000 people have streamed into Hajjah province each week from Sa?ada province in the north, which has been rocked by renewed violence between government forces and al-Houthi rebels.

The fighting has moved from Sa?ada city and its surroundings towards the northwest of the country, Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva, adding that people fleeing their homes in recent weeks have mostly been from the Razeh, Ghamr and Saqayn districts.

?Another push factor is the collapse of coping mechanisms ? people simply cannot sustain themselves any longer in Sa?ada province,? he noted.

Although the three existing camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in neighbouring Hajjah governorate are continuously being expanded, UNHCR is worried about the lack of adequate shelter, as many of the uprooted are living in makeshift sites which have mushroomed along the roads leading to the camps.

The agency and its partners are providing tents to displaced families living in host communities to increase living space within housing compounds and is also working to set up a transit centre pending the identification of a suitable campsite.

?The Yemeni government, UNHCR and other aid agencies are distributing aid, but making ends meet is getting increasingly difficult for the displaced populations as well as access to basic services such as health and education,? Mahecic stressed.

Most of the IDPs have left nearly all of their belongings behind, including cattle ? the pillar of their livelihoods and main source of income.

The fighting has also increased the number of IDPs seeking refuge in Yemen?s capital, Sana?a, to 12,000.

?UNHCR is calling on donor countries to continue their support to our operation in Yemen to be able to cope with the situation and to provide much-needed assistance,? Mahecic said, adding that the agency is appealing for $35 million this year to help these IDPs and refugees.

Last Wednesday, the top UN political official said that only a broad approach that incorporates improving the economy, battling poverty, promoting stability and fighting terrorism will solve the underlying causes of Yemen?s many problems.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told the High-Level Meeting on Yemen, held in London, that the UN is ready to assist the impoverished Arab nation make progress on the humanitarian, developmental and economic fronts. The country is one of the poorest in the region.

?The many challenges faced by Yemen can only be addressed in a systemic and comprehensive way,? Pascoe said, stressing that the government and its people must be at the centre of this approach.

?But it is clear that the international community will need to support the government?s efforts to tackle the underlying causes of the country?s difficulties. This support is fundamental in sustaining the country?s long-term stability and security, countering the terrorist threat, boosting its economy, meeting its development needs and fighting poverty.?

-NNN-IRNA

HUMAN SACRIFICE ON THE INCREASE IN UGANDA: POLICE

KAMPALA, Jan 31 (NNN-NEW VISION) — THE number of people killed in human sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda. According to a report obtained from the Police, the number of people killed in human sacrifice increased from three in 2007 to 25 in 2008 and 29 in 2009.

In addition, a total of 123 people were still missing by the end of 2009, the majority of them, or 90, were children. Most of them are suspected to having become victims of human sacrifice.

To date, 125 suspects have been arrested and 54 were taken to court. They were charged with criminal offences such as murder, abductions, kidnap, causing harm and attempting to sell children. However, nobody has been convicted so far.

Altogether 1,213 people went missing in the course of last year but the majority of them were traced.

Kampala district emerged as the most dangerous place, with 956 people gone missing for at least a few days during 2009. This was followed by Wakiso district with 98 missing people, Mityana with19 and Kayunga with 16 missing people.

Masaka, Mukono and Jinja each had 14 cases. Of the 29 confirmed ritual murders last year, three were in Kampala while Jinja, Mukono and Mityana each had two.

Other districts that recorded ritual murders were Kabale, Kamuli, Soroti, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Pader, Kaliro, Kiboga, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Oyam, Kitgum, Apac, Ibanda, Kabarole (Fort Portal) and Nakasongola.

The report indicates that most tribes traditionally sacrificed livestock for good luck.

However, only in recent years have Ugandans started sacrificing human beings. According to the Police, most of the bodies of sacrifice victims were found with missing body parts; the majority of them were children. — NNN-NEW VISION