Mixed review for UN on Haiti crisis
An advocate for Haiti gave sour and sweet reviews of the United Nations last week for not taking responsibility for the nation’s cholera crisis (sour), while the world body announced a $400 million trust fund (sweet) to aid victims and get rid of the disease.
The criticism and praise came from UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, an Australian-born New York University law professor who is the UN’s independent expert on extreme poverty and human rights. He presented his report on Haiti’s cholera dilemma to the General Assembly’s human rights committee on Tuesday, reported The Associated Press.
“The bad news is that the UN has still not admitted factual or legal responsibility, and has not offered a legal settlement as required by international law,” said Alston (photo inset bottom).
Investigators say cholera was first detected in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley and note evidence that it was introduced to the country’s biggest river from the base of UN peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s call for a trust fund of at least $400 million to help victims and eradicate cholera was praised by Alston.
Hurricane Matthew town hall
Federal representatives — from the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and local elected officials will be taking part in a telephone Post-Hurricane Matthew Town Hall Update for the Haitian diaspora Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Yvette Clarke (DBrooklyn).
The town hall session will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. To participate, dial (877) 229-8493 and use passcode 116071. For further information, call Rep. Clarke’s office at (718) 287-1142.
31 years of business aid
The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Anniversary Dinner on Friday is a grand event for a grand occasion — the small business organization’s 31st birthday.
The affair — at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom and Banquet Hall, 1367 Utica Ave., Brooklyn — will celebrate the chamber’s many programs, projects and services provided over more than three decades and honor some of its small-business and corporate partners for their contributions.
For information on the anniversary dinner, membership or vending opportunities at the Flatbush Caton Market, call (718) 834-4544 or send email to info@caccitradecenter.com and visit www.caribbeantradecenter.com.
Cuba coming to Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is taking America’s new connection to Cuba very seriously – and Tuesday’s concert starring the Chamber Orchestra of Havana and Grammy Award–winning violinist Joshua Bell is a perfect example. Popular singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Matthews will join Bell and chamber orchestra pianist/composer Aldo López-Gavilán, singer-songwriter Carlos Varela, Chamber conductor Daiana García and soprano Larisa Martínez in the show, “Joshua Bell: Seasons of Cuba” For tickets and information, visit bit.ly/seasonsofcuba.