HAITI: GOH PLAN FOR IDP'S

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000194 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HA PINR AID EAID KDEM SUBJECT: HAITI: GOH PLAN FOR IDP'S REF: 10 PORT-AU-PRINCE 62 ¶1. (SBU) On February 22, Reuters reported the Government of Haiti had halted food and water deliveries to internally displaced persons (IDP's) in a camp on the grounds of the prime minister's office, the Primature. The GOH was reportedly trying to pressure IDPs to abandon the Primature grounds and relocate to the Tabarre section of the capital. Post confirmed local government officials had restored electricity to the Primature IDP camp; and one month's food rations were distributed. Conditions remain challenging, however, and one resident reported full latrines and people purchasing water from trucks to bathe. ¶2. (SBU) Since the earthquake, the GOH has been encouraging people whose homes were destroyed to move outside of Port au Prince. The GOH has been seeking to avoid providing incentives for people to remain in Port au Prince, such as building permanent IDP camps, thereby allowing it to focus on reconstruction efforts in the capitol (reftel). ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The GOH is looking to meet the needs of IDP's without creating incentives for people to remain in the capital. They are also trying slowly but surely to move IDP camps to appropriate locations away from public buildings like the Primature and the downtown main plaza at Champ de Mars. End Comment. MERTEN