By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/haiti1undp020410.html
UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- The UN Development Program, with which Bill Clinton is to coordinator aid to Haiti, bragged Thursday about $2.5 million being given by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Inner City Press asked UNDP's Jordan Ryan to respond to protests in the DRC about the grant, when Congolese people are under-served and unprotected, and asked if UNDP had sought out this contribution.
Ryan said the grant shows solidarity, and that UNDP is the "vehicle." Video here, from Minute 11:14. He didn't disclose, but should, what overhead fees UNDP is charging -- as high at 10% in some contexts. Given how much UNDP has in the bank, might it not waive such fees in the case of Haiti?
When UNDP new Associate Administrator Rebecca Grynspan -- according to African Ambassador, she took a post that had been promised to Africa, ironic in light of the happy talk about accepting also a $2.5 million grant from the DRC -- briefed the Press about UNDP's "cash for work" in Haiti, she said it would be $5 a day.
Since then, some have said $3 a day. Inner City Press asked Ryan, who said it is $4.47 a day, set by the government. Much of the work being done involves demolishing buildings in Port au Prince.
Inner City Press asked, since UNDP is involved in knocking buildings down, what safeguards will be in place that people can return? Video here, from Minute 28:45. These questions were asked about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina -- why not in Haiti? Ryan responded with platitudes about recovery plans with, among others, the World Bank. Great.
Meanwhile at the IMF, Inner City Press asked about criticism, including by a UN expert, of the IMF issuing a new loan rather than grant to Haiti. IMF Spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson said that nothing would have to be paid until 2012. And then? Watch this site.
