World Scouting, the Red Cross and the United Nations

Geneva, 21 January 2010- The reconnaissance mission sent by the Scouts et Guides de France, supported by World Scouting, left Santo Domingo at 6:00am (local time) this morning. It is part of the International Federation of the Red Cross convoy. The convoy will meet up with the representatives of MINUSTAH (UN) at the border. Their arrival at the Port-au-Prince airport is expected at around 17:00pm. The mission's transportation is assured by a vehicle that has been offered by the Youth Ministry of the Dominican Republic, who has also sent a special envoy with them,who will serve as the link with the Haitian Youth Ministry.

Upon arrival, the mission will link up with the representatives of Haitian Scouting and proceed to confirm partnerships with the UN agencies on site. The MINUSTAH representative in Jacmel has stated that “Scouts are the only efficient youth association that they can work with. This efficiency will be bolstered by the logistical equipments being brought by the French Scout mission, the initial support being put at the disposal of the Haitian Scouts thanks to the donations received after one week. It is to be noted that the French Scout association has decided to cover the expenses for this particular mission, in order not to affect the integrity of the donations. On the same note, a secure means of transferring funds, is being put into place with the re-establishment of the Haitian banking system.

In the coming hours, the analysis of the immediate emergency needs will be confirmed and circulated to the National Scout Organizations, who have expressed the desire to assist in the collection of the necessary equipment. In the next few days, the Scout coordination will also perform a post emergency analysis of the needs so as to establish an action plan for the reconstruction efforts.

During the last 2 days, the Dominican Scout Association has been working on the preparation of this mission, in direct relation with the Scouts et Guides de France and the World Scout Bureau. Its high level contacts with state officials and the United Nations system has allowed the objectives of the mission to be assured.

In Geneva, WOSM works to provide support through the natural partners of the Movement that are the United Nations agencies (OCHA, UNICEF,UNHCR) and the Red Cross, as well as continuing the international call for donations.