UN-Canada partnership strengthens Haitian police force

UN-Canada partnership strengthens Haitian police force

The restoration of Haiti's police infrastructure in the Southern Province will lead to better work conditions and enhanced delivery.

Thanks to support from Canada and the United Nations, the renovation of Haiti's police force (HNP) in the Southern Province is now complete.

As a result of the project, 14 police stations were refurbished, 24 cars and 22 motorcycles were delivered. Work equipment was distributed among 21 police stations, including computers, chairs, printers, radios and investigation kits.

The project is the first completed regional initiative of this type. "The inputs provided by this project will substantially increase the capacity of HNP officers to carry out police functions crucial to the development of the country", said Mr. Joel Boutroue, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Haiti.

The US$3,2 million project was financed by the Canadian Government through the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START) and was carried by a partnership between the HNP, UNDP, the United Nations Mission for the Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The Governor General of Canada, her Excellency Michaëlle Jean inaugurated the project today, in Torbeck, in Haiti's South Department. Also present at the ceremony the Prime Minister Michèle D. Pierre Louis and several authorities from the Haitian government, local authorities and the UN.