USAID/OTI Haiti Success Story: February 2010 - Haitian Government Reaches Out to Citizens

The venue, an outdoor center with staging, cover from the elements, a public address system, and office equipment, was set up in a local police station compound in February 2010. The compound served as the temporary government operations center following the January 12 earthquake that destroyed the President's and Prime Minister's offices. Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lassègue, Minister of Culture and Communication for the Government of Haiti, joined the government leadership to assume her role as spokesperson and provide critical information to the people of Haiti. The Minister established the Emergency Media Relations Venue to improve the government's outreach to citizens. Prior to the center's establishment, the Minister conducted up to 10 interviews per day, but now conducts 20 to 40 interviews with international and Haitian media every day. The President holds between two and four press conferences or group interviews a day from the new center. The Minister and her staff work with media outlets to bolster communications with the people of Haiti. The center provides fuel, food, and phone card units to journalists, enabling them to report on government activities. On average, 50 to 80 journalists report from the center every day, with 14 camera crews setting up for the day's press events. The Emergency Media Relations Venue is the first of USAID's efforts to help build the Government of Haiti's capacity to communicate and connect with Haitians throughout the country and abroad. The center serves as a critical platform for the government to disseminate information and engage with citizens, facilitating the delivery of critical information to the people of Haiti. The establishment of the center demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Government of Haiti's efforts to establish a robust communication system are crucial in the post-earthquake recovery phase. The Emergency Media Relations Venue plays a vital role in facilitating the flow of information between the government and citizens, enabling the government to provide critical updates and engage with the public. The center's establishment marks a significant step towards rebuilding the government's capacity to communicate effectively with its citizens.