In an emergency briefing session held Tuesday, UNDP China officials and its National Goodwill Ambassador Zhou Xun joined in launching an emphatic appeal to Chinese civil society and the private sector to come to Haiti's aid in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12.

Globally, UNDP is calling for US$35.6 million for immediate recovery assistance, part of a wider UN flash appeal for US$575 million. The UNDP funds are being used for immediate recovery priorities, including temporary shelter, debris clearance, rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, and cash-for-work reconstruction activities.

Khalid Malik, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China highlighted China's recent experience with the Sichuan earthquake, highlighting that China can "provide leadership and guidance for the international community in responding to the current crisis in Haiti."

The Chinese Government has already provided substantial bilateral support to Haiti including medicines, food, shelter and other urgently needed supplies. On top of this, the Ministry of Commerce recently gave US$2.6 million to the UN Flash Appeal.

The panel stressed the particular importance of engaging the private sector in recovery and reconstruction efforts going forward. "The generous contributions of the private sector to the quake-affected communities in Sichuan set an example for what needs to be carried out in Haiti. The resources and capacities of the private sector are absolutely critical in relief and reconstruction efforts of this magnitude," said Malik.

Subinay Nandy, UNDP China Country Director, stressed the urgent need for tents and temporary shelter for the more than 1 million displaced in Haiti. "We need to help people where they are," said Nandy. "That means providing tents or other materials, including plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and wood. Although the Government has requested 200,000 family-sized tents, so far, only 35,500 are in the country."

Nandy also spoke to the benefits of UNDP's "Cash-for-Work" program which, for less than US$5 per person per day, employs people in activities such as rubble and waste removal. This serves the dual purpose of kick-starting economic activity while the workers supply vital services that cannot be coordinated by the Government.

Currently 11,500 people are employed by the program. The goal is to scale it up to create 220,000 temporary jobs benefiting approximately 1,050,000 people.

"I am very pleased to learn that 40 percent of workers hired under the 'cash-for-work' scheme are women; and that priority is also given to those with destroyed housing or with deceased family members," said Zhou Xun, renowned actress and UNDP China's National Goodwill Ambassador. "I strongly urge the Chinese business community and concerned Chinese citizens to take action for Haiti as they did in Sichuan, to help Haitians in 'building back better and greener."

(China Development Gateway February 2, 2010)