(2004-06) Long-Term Programme of Support for Haiti: Report of the Secretary-General (E/2004/80)

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) • 2004 • 17 pages

Summary — Secretary-General's report to ECOSOC on Haiti after President Aristide's February 2004 departure, covering the political transition, economic collapse, the creation of MINUSTAH, resumed international aid, and a proposed ad hoc advisory group.

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Key Findings

The armed conflict that began in Gonaïves in February 2004 spread across northern Haiti and led to President Aristide's departure on 29 February, the swearing-in of interim President Alexandre, and deployment of a US-led Multinational Interim Force of about 3,700 troops, replaced on 1 June 2004 by MINUSTAH with up to 6,700 military and 1,622 civilian police authorized. The economy was in deep distress: real GDP fell 1.2 percent in 2001 and 0.9 percent in 2002 before a weak 0.5 percent recovery in 2003, net reserves dropped to 21 million dollars, the gourde depreciated from 25 to around 39-40 per dollar, and about 90 million dollars left the banking system after October 2002 conversion rumours. The March 2004 flash appeal of 35 million dollars had raised only 10.78 million dollars by mid-June, while late-May floods killed more than 1,000 people. The Secretary-General recommended intergovernmental follow-up and suggested ECOSOC consider an ad hoc advisory group for Haiti.

Full Description

This report of the Secretary-General to the Economic and Social Council describes the situation in Haiti after the armed conflict of early 2004 and President Aristide's departure on 29 February, the deployment of the Multinational Interim Force and the formation of the transition government under Prime Minister Latortue. It presents a stark economic and social picture: gross national income per capita of 440 dollars, life expectancy of 54 years, half of children under five malnourished, 52 percent illiteracy, net international reserves down to 21 million dollars in March 2004, and an informal sector accounting for about 70 percent of the economy. The report reviews the establishment of MINUSTAH under Security Council resolution 1542 (2004), UN humanitarian action including the 35 million dollar flash appeal and the Integrated Emergency Response Programme, the resumption of donor assistance and preparation of an Interim Cooperation Framework, and human rights concerns documented by the independent expert. It concludes by inviting ECOSOC to consider creating an ad hoc advisory group on Haiti, requested by the transition Prime Minister, to promote a coordinated long-term assistance programme, the step that led to the Group's reactivation in July 2004.

Topics

Geography

Time Coverage

2003 — 2004-06

Keywords

E/2004/80, ECOSOC, Secretary-General report, long-term programme of support, 2004 political transition, Aristide departure, MINUSTAH, Multinational Interim Force, flash appeal, Interim Cooperation Framework, humanitarian assistance, human rights, series:ecosoc-adhoc-haiti

Entities

United Nations Economic and Social Council, Secretary-General of the United Nations, MINUSTAH, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Boniface Alexandre, Gérard Latortue, Yvon Neptune, John Reginald Dumas, Adama Guindo, Louis Joinet, World Bank, IMF, Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, PAHO/WHO, USAID, CIDA, European Commission, OAS, Conseil des sages

Notes

UN document E/2004/80; Secretary-General report on the long-term programme of support for Haiti; ayitistats wave B