Haitian Interior Minister Chairs Session on La Gonâve Development Challenges

Interior and Territorial Collectivities Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé chaired a working session last week focused on analyzing the situation in the La Gonâve arrondissement, aiming to identify the territory's primary difficulties, priority needs and development potential, according to icihaiti.com. Participants included Secretary of State for Territorial Collectivities Sharina Lochard, Departmental Delegate for the West François Gérald, La Gonâve Vice-Delegate Ednel Désir, Coordination Unit head Elvire Js, and Territorial Collectivities Director Mallew Étienne. Representatives from the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Ministries of Public Health, National Education and the Environment also took part. The initiative seeks to transform multi-sectoral analysis into a decision-making tool to guide future assessment missions, inform public policy and improve state intervention planning. Key concerns raised included insecurity, limited access to basic services, socioeconomic constraints and challenges in coordinating public action. Bien-Aimé stressed the need for collective awareness and concerted mobilization, while highlighting the island's resources and development potential. Lochard advocated for stronger communication and more effective consultation between the State's decentralized services and local authorities. Désir outlined challenges in health, education and security. In his closing remarks, Étienne emphasized continuing the work to ensure better follow-up and the implementation of concrete actions for the population of La Gonâve, the report said.