JOTC SITREP 01 June 2010

HIGHLIGHTS

• Heavy rains and thunderstorms herald advent of Atlantic hurricane season
• Names of five members of HRIC released to media
• Peaceful demonstration in Les Cayes in support of local mayor
• World Cup drives demonstrators in Miragoâne to protest electricity cuts
• Child wounded during gun battle between rival gangs in Fort National
• Peaceful demonstration against the government in downtown Port-au-Prince
• UNESCO and education ministry unveil special post-earthquake school syllabus

I. GENERAL SITUATION

Today marks the beginning of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. While forecasts anticipate this year’s season to be quite active, no tropical storms are expected to develop in the near term. Intermittent showers and thunderstorms in the northwestern Caribbean associated with the remnants of Pacific tropical storm Agatha continue, but the accompanying upper-level winds are not conducive to development into a tropical cyclone. Rather, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has estimated only a very low chance of (10%) of such a development over the next forty-eight hours. This system is projected to remain relatively stationary through tomorrow.

To the north, a broad area of high pressure is developing with dry and sunny conditions around Bermuda, but the flow associated with this system will direct moisture across the northern islands of the Caribbean, sparking showers, periodic heavy downpours and chances of thunderstorms across Hispaniola. The storm-watch issued on 26 May (protectioncivile.gouv.ht/bulletin_jour.htm) therefore remains in effect for all of Haiti, but particularly for the southern part of the country where the Centre National de Météorologie has identified the greatest risk of overflowing rivers, mudslides, landslides, subsidence and flooding.

Just forty-eight hours before the first meeting of the Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti (HRIC), various media outlets have published the names of five of the members. Besides the Haitian Prime Minister and the UN Special Envoy who serve as co-chairs, the names of five sectorial representatives have emerged: 1) Réginald Boulos, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti, representing the private sector; 2) the leader of the Haitian Workers Central (CTH), Jean-Claude Lebrun, selected by union members; 3) the Rector of the University Quisqueya, Lucien Jean Bernard, representing the Senate, also sitting on HRIC board of directors; 4) Lucien Francœur, former secretary-general of the lower house of parliament, selected by that body before its session expired; and 5) Joseph Billy Louis, elected by the National Association of Magistrates. Names of the remaining members have not yet been released to the public.

II. SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER

Over the last twenty-four hours, the security situation in Haiti has largely remained stable, but the general security environment continues to be characterized by persistent criminal activity.

On 30 May at 2100 hours in the Carrefour area of Port-au-Prince, the local population lynched a man who had attacked and injured two men with a knife. The victims were taken to hospital and the body of the assailant to the morgue.

On 31 May at 1010 hours in Les Cayes, a demonstration was organized with about 100 people in support for the mayor of the municipality. The mayor escaped after an arrest warrant was issued against him for attempted murder. No incident was reported.

Also today, a demonstration began at 1015 hours in Miragoâne, where about 150 people demanded that the Haitian electricity utility (EDH) provide sufficient power to enable them to follow World Cup matches in real time. No incident was reported.

Meanwhile at 1430 hours in Port-de-Paix, a demonstration was organized by the students of Tertulien Gelbaud High School to protest the replacement of the former school co-ordinator. After blocking access inside the perimeter, the demonstrators ended their action at 1530 hours without incident.

Last night at 2030 hours in Hinche, a traffic accident occurred involving a UN vehicle and a privately owned motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the UN vehicle, injuring the two motorcycle passengers, who were then transported to the Nepalese Hospital. The UN vehicle was slightly damaged. An investigation was opened.

Today at 0936 hours in the Fort National area of Port-au-Prince, an identified local man called MINUSTAH to report gunshots in the streets between two rival gangs. Residents fled the violence, but calm was restored when MINUSTAH military arrived on the scene. An eight-year-old girl who had been struck with a bullet in the right leg was transported to hospital. The victim’s family filed a complaint with the HNP. Gunshots were subsequently heard in the area of Fort Touron at 1100 hours, but no further details have yet become available.

Today at 1000 hours in Jacmel, a peaceful demonstration was organized against the government by the Alternative Movement for Decentralization and Reconstruction (MADRE) with approximately 100 protestors. The demonstration ended at 1200 hours without incident.

At 1000 hours in Les Cayes today, another demonstration was organized to support the mayor with about 100 people in attendance. This action ended at 1150 hours, also without incident.

Today at 1055 hours in the Champ-de-Mars area, a demonstration of between 200 and 300 people to protest against the government started marching Pave Street and on John Brown Avenue at 1110 hours. By 1140 hours, the demonstrators had moved in front of the UNIBANK on John Brown, then at 1210 hours reached Villa Privée. The action ended at 1227 hours without incident.

During the last twenty-four hours, UNPOL and HNP have conducted 336 joint patrols and 53 checkpoints throughout the country. A total of nine arrests were reported. MINUSTAH military conducted 988 security operations, involving 5,056 troops, and eight maritime patrols, sailing 187.4 nautical miles.

III. HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS

UNESCO and the Haitian education ministry have launched a new website to make the special syllabus for the schools in Haiti available to sector professionals (www.haitiprogrammescolaire.org). This special syllabus was jointly developed by UNESCO and the ministry to take into account the trauma and disruption experienced by both children and teachers. Under the new syllabus, educational programmes will resume in stages, starting with psychosocial activities involving song, dance and other forms of creative expression to help children cope with the extreme stress they have experienced as a result of the earthquake. Children will also learn about earthquakes as natural phenomena.

Regular lessons will resume a few weeks later in an accelerated format allowing pupils to complete the school year normally ending in August in just eighteen weeks. Other materials available on this new web platform include information on the next exams, reference documents for the Strategic Plan on Education for All and the National Training Plan of Education. This initiative falls within the framework of the emergency response by the education sector in the aftermath of the earthquake.

In the last twenty-four hours, MINUSTAH military have conducted 13 humanitarian assistance missions involving 107 troops. These missions included medical assistance, food and water distributions benefiting about 9,673 people.

IV. JOTC

The Joint Operations and Tasking Centre (JOTC) continued to respond to requests for assistance from humanitarian partners, the Government and the Project Management Coordination Cell (PMCC). To date, 796 requests for support have been received and 505 completed. Most of the requests pertain to the provision of security and engineering support.