Carib Scope

标签： Haiti

海地

  • Cooperation : DINEPA meeting at the Cuban Embassy in Haiti

    Cooperation : DINEPA meeting at the Cuban Embassy in Haiti

    In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering infrastructure development, Théophil Ostinvil, Director General of Haiti’s National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), convened with Cuban Ambassador Ricardo Garcia Nápoles at the Cuban Embassy in Haiti on February 14, 2026.

    The high-level discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in critical water and sanitation services, with particular emphasis on knowledge transfer and capacity building. Both parties conducted a comprehensive review of existing collaborative achievements while identifying strategic priorities for future joint initiatives.

    A cornerstone of the dialogue involved developing a structured capacity-building program leveraging Cuba’s technical expertise to strengthen DINEPA’s operational capabilities. This initiative aims to support Haiti’s sustainable development goals in water infrastructure management through specialized training and skill development programs for Haitian water sector professionals.

    Additionally, the meeting served as a platform to address administrative considerations pertaining to current collaboration mechanisms between DINEPA and Cuban technical experts working within Haiti’s water sector. The discussions reflected both nations’ commitment to streamlining operational frameworks for enhanced efficiency.

    This diplomatic engagement underscores Haiti’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international technical partnerships that directly contribute to improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, ultimately benefiting Haitian communities through improved access to essential services.

  • FLASH : Swedish Pia Sundhage new Coach of Grenadières Senior

    FLASH : Swedish Pia Sundhage new Coach of Grenadières Senior

    In a landmark move for Caribbean football, the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) has secured the services of internationally acclaimed Swedish coach Pia Sundhage to helm its senior women’s national team, the Grenadières. This strategic appointment comes precisely two weeks following the departure of former French coach Malou Quignette, whose contract was not renewed.

    Sundhage arrives with an unparalleled pedigree in international women’s football, boasting an extraordinary track record that includes dual Olympic gold medals coaching the United States (2008, 2012), a World Cup final appearance (2011), Olympic silver with Sweden (2016), and a Copa América triumph with Brazil (2022). Her distinguished playing career further enhances her credentials, with 146 international caps and 71 goals for Sweden.

    Beyond her trophy-laden resume, Sundhage brings globally recognized expertise in structuring high-performance environments, developing emerging talent, and instilling cultures of excellence and discipline. Her proven capacity to manage elite competitions and international pressure makes her uniquely qualified for Haiti’s ambitious project.

    The FHF has positioned this appointment as a cornerstone for comprehensive institutional transformation. The federation’s vision extends beyond immediate sporting results to encompass strengthening Haiti’s entire technical organization, harmonizing standards across national teams and youth development programs, and establishing Haiti as a credible force in international football.

    A fundamental component of Sundhage’s mandate involves knowledge transfer to Haitian coaches through dedicated mentoring programs, methodology sharing, and gradual integration of local expertise within the coaching staff. This approach ensures that international expertise directly contributes to the sustainable development of Haitian football’s technical infrastructure.

    The federation has expressed full confidence in Sundhage’s leadership as Haiti embarks on this new chapter, with qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil serving as an immediate competitive objective.

  • Gangs : Recruitment of children up 200% over one year

    Gangs : Recruitment of children up 200% over one year

    Haiti is confronting an alarming escalation in the exploitation of minors by armed factions, with UNICEF revealing a staggering 200% increase in child recruitment throughout 2025. This disturbing trend emerges against the backdrop of International Red Hand Day, observed annually on February 12th, which aims to combat the conscription of children into armed conflicts.

    The humanitarian landscape in Haiti remains dire, with over 1.4 million internally displaced persons—more than half being children—enduring extreme poverty and multifaceted crises. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the non-negotiable nature of children’s rights, stating: ‘Every child must be protected. Those recruited must be released and supported to heal, return to learning, and rebuild their futures.’

    Children are typically coerced into joining armed groups through direct threats against themselves or family members, economic desperation, or as a means of survival after family separation. This recruitment constitutes a severe violation of international law and exposes minors to combat injuries, sexual and psychological abuse, arbitrary detention, and educational disruption.

    Since the January 2024 Handover Protocol implementation, UNICEF and child protection agencies have verified and assisted over 500 children associated with armed groups through specialized reintegration services. These efforts are coordinated with Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Justice Ministry, Education Ministry, and humanitarian partners.

    Support mechanisms include psychosocial assistance, health service referrals, temporary learning spaces, family tracing, and the PREJEUNES program which focuses on vulnerability reduction and social inclusion for at-risk youth. UNICEF urges national authorities to strengthen child protection systems, ensure service access, and enhance community-based prevention networks with confidential reporting pathways.

    The organization simultaneously appeals to donor governments and private sector entities for increased funding, noting critical support programs remain significantly under-resourced. Russell concluded: ‘These children must not be treated as perpetrators but provided reintegration services and protected from additional risks, stigma, or retaliation.’

  • Northwest : Launch of the U-15 and U-20 school sports games

    Northwest : Launch of the U-15 and U-20 school sports games

    The Northwestern Departmental Directorate of Haiti’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action (DDNO/MJSAC) has officially inaugurated the 2026 U-15 and U-20 inter-school athletic championships this week. The ceremonial launch event was conducted at the administrative complex housing the DDNO/MJSAC, drawing significant attendance from government officials, educational administrators, sports coordinators, parents, and enthusiastic community members supporting young athletic talent.

    Scheduled to commence on February 26, 2026, at Parc Capois-la-mort, the competitions will feature sixteen educational institutions partitioned into four competitive groups. The games are designed to showcase the athletic potential of Northwestern Haiti’s youth while promoting physical education as a developmental tool.

    During the opening ceremony, Destima Raymond Fedner, Northwestern Departmental Director of MJSAC, delivered an address emphasizing school sports’ critical role as a mechanism for community development, social unity, and talent identification. He articulated that the government’s dedication to encouraging athletic participation from early ages is now materializing, aiming to cultivate a generation that is healthy, active, and socially responsible.

    The Ministry has endorsed this initiative as aligning with the classical principle ‘mens sana in corpore sano’ (a sound mind in a sound body), attributed to the Roman poet Juvenal. This initiative reinforces the Ministry’s strategic vision to establish sports as a fundamental component of regional development—serving as both a catalyst for social integration and a medium for fostering peace, educational growth, and camaraderie among the department’s schools.

  • Politic : New Municipal Commission at the head of Port-au-Prince

    Politic : New Municipal Commission at the head of Port-au-Prince

    In a significant administrative move, Haiti’s Interior Ministry has formally established a new governing body for its capital city. On February 11, 2026, Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the freshly appointed Port-au-Prince Municipal Commission at the Ministry’s Delmas 60 headquarters.

    The commission, comprising President Yves Andrel Salomon (functioning as mayor) alongside deputies Dorothé Ignace Morel and Esther Cinéas, assumes authority during a period of substantial challenges for the capital. Their appointment, initially decreed by the Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Fils-Aimé on February 7, 2026, signifies a strategic effort to stabilize municipal governance.

    The installation event witnessed the presence of key government figures, including Ketlène Jean Louis, Director General of the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), senior ministry officials, and representatives from the National Federation of CASECS of Haiti (FENACAH).

    In his address, Director General Pierre Canisius Guignard emphasized that this leadership transition stems from a commitment to address the legitimate needs and aspirations of Port-au-Prince residents, specifically through the enhanced delivery of quality public services. The Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT) has expressed strong expectations for the new commission to implement local public policies aimed at revitalizing the city and restoring its former pride. The executive agents are urged to operate with both effectiveness and efficiency.

    Minister Bien-Aimé formally presented the official confirmation of appointments to the new members, aligning with the decree that establishes this municipal commission. This body is tasked with managing the capital’s affairs on an interim basis until the next scheduled elections.

    A critical directive for the new council is to prioritize the acute needs of the population, with particular attention to the most vulnerable communities, including those residing in camps for displaced persons. The Ministry has pledged its full support to the municipal executive agents, aiming to boost operational performance and fortify the institutional framework of the municipality during this pivotal period.

  • Qatar 2026 : Prime Minister congratulates the Grenadiers U-17 qualification to the World Cup

    Qatar 2026 : Prime Minister congratulates the Grenadiers U-17 qualification to the World Cup

    In a remarkable display of sporting excellence, Haiti’s Under-17 national football team has secured qualification for the 2026 Qatar World Cup following a decisive 2-1 victory over Guatemala. The achievement marks a perfect qualifying campaign with three consecutive wins, during which the young Grenadiers scored eleven goals while conceding only two.

    Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé officially congratulated the team, highlighting how their performance demonstrates exceptional talent, discipline, and national pride. This qualification represents the second consecutive appearance for Haiti’s U-17 squad in the World Cup tournament, underscoring the consistency of Haitian football talent on the international stage.

    The achievement places Haiti among an elite group of nations that have qualified for multiple FIFA tournaments across different categories, including Men’s Senior World Cup (1974, 2026), Women’s Senior World Cup (2023), Women’s U-20 World Cup (2010), and Boys’ U-17 World Cup (2007, 2019, 2025, and now 2026).

    Government officials emphasized that this sporting success transcends athletics, serving as a powerful symbol of national resilience and potential. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security, strengthening institutions, and fostering national unity—conditions identified as essential for enabling Haitian youth to continue achieving international excellence.

    The qualification has been celebrated as an act of faith in Haiti’s future and a demonstration of the nation’s ability to triumph despite historical challenges and hardships.

  • Justice : The CSPJ reminds magistrates of the prohibition to participate to political activities

    Justice : The CSPJ reminds magistrates of the prohibition to participate to political activities

    In a significant move to uphold judicial integrity, Haiti’s Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) has issued a formal resolution reinforcing the prohibition of political activities for all magistrates nationwide. Dated February 10, 2026 (CSPJ-SP/02-2026/88), the directive emphasizes that judicial officers must maintain absolute political neutrality to preserve the credibility of Haiti’s legal institutions.

    The resolution explicitly cites constitutional provisions, judicial statutes, and ethical codes that form the legal foundation for this reinforcement. It articulates that any political involvement by judges inherently compromises their impartiality and undermines public confidence in the judicial system. The document further reminds magistrates of their ‘strict obligation of discretion and political neutrality’ as cornerstones of their professional conduct.

    Specific articles within the resolution mandate that all judges, regardless of rank or jurisdiction, must refrain from participating in political activities and remain outside the political arena. Additionally, magistrates are instructed to avoid any behavior, statements, or actions that could diminish their impartiality or tarnish the dignity of the judicial institution.

    The resolution establishes concrete consequences for violations, stating that any failure to comply with these obligations will subject offenders to disciplinary sanctions under applicable laws. The document was formally ratified in Pétion-Ville and bears the signatures of eight CSPJ members, including President Mag. Jean-Joseph Lebrun and Vice-President Mag. Barthélemy Alténor.

    This development occurs amid ongoing efforts to strengthen Haiti’s judicial independence and comes at a critical juncture in the nation’s political landscape, where separation of powers remains paramount to democratic stability.

  • Morne-Casse : Anti-Gang Training Center dedicated to specialized units

    Morne-Casse : Anti-Gang Training Center dedicated to specialized units

    A major security infrastructure project is approaching its final stages in Morne-Casse, Haiti, with the imminent completion of a high-capacity police training facility funded by the Canadian government and implemented through the Organization of American States (OAS). This strategic installation represents a significant advancement in Haiti’s ongoing battle against gang violence and organized crime.

    On February 10, 2026, a high-level delegation from the Haitian National Police (PNH) conducted an extensive inspection of the facility. The delegation was led by Acting PNH Chief Vladimir Paraison and included senior officials from various police departments, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to this security initiative.

    The specialized training center, constructed on a sprawling six-hectare site, has been specifically designed to enhance the operational capabilities of specialized police units confronting gang-related threats. With capacity to simultaneously train up to 200 officers, the facility boasts comprehensive training infrastructure including modern classrooms, residential dormitories, dining facilities, and recreational areas.

    The center’s advanced tactical training features include a 100-meter shooting range, international-standard moving target ranges, and specialized tactical courses. Notably, the facility operates with energy independence through a hybrid power system combining solar energy with generator backup.

    The training program will commence with an intensive three-week instructor certification course scheduled for late February. These newly trained instructors will subsequently disseminate specialized techniques and tactical knowledge throughout Haiti’s operational police units, aiming to standardize and elevate intervention capabilities nationwide.

    This Morne-Casse facility is envisioned as the cornerstone of an expanded national training network. Future development plans include establishing at least four additional similar centers across Haiti, particularly in the southern regions, complementing the existing Port-au-Prince facility. This decentralized approach aims to ensure comprehensive geographic coverage and tailored responses to diverse security challenges throughout the country.

  • Cinema : International excellence training in documentary filmmaking, call for applications

    Cinema : International excellence training in documentary filmmaking, call for applications

    The prestigious French National School of Image and Sound (La FEMIS) has announced its 2026 Summer University program, inviting emerging filmmakers from outside Europe to apply for an intensive documentary filmmaking course. This internationally acclaimed initiative, established in 1986 with support from France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, offers a transformative opportunity for cinematic development.

    The eight-and-a-half-week program, scheduled from July 8 to September 4, 2026, will immerse 15 selected participants in Paris’s vibrant film culture. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with hands-on production experience, guiding each participant through the creation of an original 5-10 minute documentary under professional mentorship. The program structure includes intensive weekly sessions five days per week, blending practical workshops, film screenings, and specialized development meetings.

    Eligibility requirements target francophone film students and young professionals under age 27 (as of January 1, 2026) with demonstrated interest in auteur documentary traditions. Applicants must possess non-European citizenship and demonstrate French language proficiency at minimum B1 level for non-native speakers. Submission requirements include a completed application package and a previously created short documentary film.

    Selection will be conducted through a collaborative review process involving FEMIS faculty and cultural attaches from French embassies worldwide. The application deadline is March 27, 2026, with all materials required via email to projet@institutfrancaishaiti.org. Application forms and program details are available through the official portal of the French Embassy in Haiti.

  • Politic : Tourism, a major pillar of economic development (video)

    Politic : Tourism, a major pillar of economic development (video)

    In a strategic move to position tourism as the engine of economic recovery, Haiti’s Minister of Tourism John Herrick Dessources unveiled a comprehensive development blueprint during the 36th “Tuesdays of the Nation” forum on February 10, 2026. The presentation detailed twenty concurrent initiatives demonstrating the government’s commitment to transforming the sector into a primary economic driver.

    The physical infrastructure component encompasses ten regional projects spanning multiple departments. Northern development focuses on enhancing visitor facilities at historical sites in Milot and Cap-Haitien alongside modernization efforts at Cap-Haïtien International Airport. Southern regions including Grand’Anse and the West are seeing departmental office refurbishments, strategic tourist zone redevelopment, and strengthened security and training infrastructure.

    Complementing these physical improvements, ten structural modernization projects are underway. These include managerial recruitment expansion, tourist police reinforcement, technological modernization of sector operations, and legal framework reorganization for ministry-linked institutions. Additional measures feature a nationwide hotel inventory audit, training program standardization, and preparation for a national tourism investment forum.

    The multidimensional strategy targets five key strategic areas: service quality improvement in public and private sectors, crime reduction through tourism decentralization, equitable economic opportunity distribution, investment facilitation, and medium-to-long-term development planning. Minister Dessources specifically addressed security concerns, emphasizing geographic diversification of tourism offerings to mitigate crime concentration while spreading economic benefits more broadly.

    Expected outcomes include significant investment attraction, economic activity stimulation, direct and indirect job creation, and enhanced national competitiveness. The government reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing all sector stakeholders and leveraging data analytics to maximize initiative impact and ensure sustainable tourism recovery.