PORT AU Prince, Haiti (CMC) – Haiti has called on all stakeholders to pool resources as the country launched its preparation for the six-month 2017 hurricane season that ends in November.

President Jovenel Moise, speaking at a ceremony here to launch the occasion, said that it was necessary to continue “to raise [the] awareness in the population of the threats that will bring the first six months, for their personal safety and of their property.“I therefore call on all sectors to continue efforts for a pooling of resources. I encourage state and civil society actors to come together and redouble their vigilance,” he said. “I will be at your side with the entire government to accompany you throughout this worrying period,” he added.While he welcomed the efforts of the State and its partners, in particular the World Meteorological Organization, for the establishment of the Hydrometeorological Unit of Haiti, Moïse insisted on the need to give each citizen messages and positive role models to adopt during the season.The ceremony, which took place at the National Urgent Operations Center, was also attended by Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities Dr Max Rudolph Saint-Albin; presidents of the two chambers, Youri Latortue and Cholzer Chancy; parliamentarians; mayors of the metropolitan area; representatives of the civil society; and members of the directorate for the Civil Protection.“Preparation actions for the hurricane season, both at the central and departmental levels, have been initiated in the first months of the year and will continue throughout the season,” said Saint-Albin, adding that some of the actions already undertaken include a list of temporary shelters in the country.Last year, Hurricane Matthew killed hundreds of people as it tore through the French-speaking Caribbean Community country, with most of the deaths occurring in towns and fishing villages around the southern coast, and many killed by falling trees, flying debris, and swollen rivers.