UN seeks 98 million U.S. dollars for Haiti

The United Nations on Monday launched an appeal for 98 million U.S. dollars to support the Haitian government in stabilizing the country and getting Haiti back on the path to development.

The appeal, which covers the 2006-2007 period, aims to help the Haitian government in improving its efficiency in the post- electoral transition period and to meet humanitarian and development needs, the UN Office in Geneva said in a statement.

"The appeal also aims at reducing vulnerability among the population, ensuring that authorities are better prepared in the event of natural disasters," said Joel Boutroue, deputy special representative of the Secretary General for the UN's Haiti Stabilization Mission.

Haiti has suffered from political turmoil in recent years, which led to the final resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004 after a popular uprising.

Currently a UN force of over 8,000 soldiers are in the Caribbean country to help the interim regime maintain order and re- establish stability.

According to the UN, more than half of Haiti's 8.4 million population lives below the extreme poverty line of one U.S. dollar a day. Haiti also has the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the region and are extremely vulnerable to natural hazards.

The projects in the UN appeal focus on political governance, economic recovery and access to basic services.

The largest appealing organization is the UN Development Program, followed by the World Food Program, the World Health Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Source: Xinhua