Visit to and discussion at the Centre d'opérations d'urgence in Les Cayes

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond visited the Centre d'opérations d'Urgence in Les Cayes, where they were greeted by many locals.

Accompanied by the Prime Minister of Haiti Ms. Michèle Pierre-Louis (right) and other government authorities and representatives from civil society, Their Excellencies visited this emergency operations centre, which is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency and was created to help reduce the vulnerability of Haiti’s population to natural disasters like floods, landslides and cyclones.

Their Excellencies took part in a discussion with 30 people to be briefed on events that occurred and to review the mechanisms in place to deal with natural disasters.

During this discussion, government authorities and representatives from civil society shared with Their Excellencies events occurred in the summer of 2008 and emergency measures taken to overcome many challenges.

As she was leaving, the Governor General shared her impressions about the Centre d'opérations d'urgence.