Blue Shield Statement on Haiti (14/01/2010)

http://www.international.icomos.org/risk/BlueShield%20Statement_Haiti_20100114.pdf

The Blue Shield expresses its sorrow and solidarity with the population of Haiti for the loss of lives and the destructions caused by the earthquake which occurred on 12th January. Culture is a basic need, and cultural heritage a symbolic necessity that gives meaning to human lives connecting past, present and future. Cultural heritage is a reference full of values helping to restore a sense of normality and enabling people to move forward. Cultural Heritage is fundamental in rebuilding the identity, the dignity and the hope of the communities after a catastrophe. The Blue Shield Mission is "to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by armed conflict, natural and man-made disasters". While it appreciates that the immediate priority is to find the missing, and to help the injured and homeless, it places the expertise and network of its member organisations at the disposal of their Haitian colleagues to support their work in assessing the damage to the cultural heritage of their countries including libraries, archives, museums and monuments and sites, and subsequent recovery, restoration and repair measures.

The Blue Shield calls on the international community, responsible authorities and local population to give the fullest possible support to the efforts, official and voluntary, underway to protect/rescue the rich and unique heritage of Haiti. The member organisations of the Blue Shield are currently liaising with Haitian colleagues, to obtain further information on both the situation in the area and on the possible needs and types of help required so as to mobilise our networks accordingly. A more complete report on damages, needs and actions will be published subsequently, to facilitate coordination.

The Blue Shield

The Blue Shield is the protective emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention which is the basic international treaty formulating rules to protect cultural heritage during armed conflicts. The Blue Shield network consists of organisations dealing with museums, archives, audiovisual supports, libraries, monuments and sites. The International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), founded in 1996, comprises representatives of the five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in this field:

- The International Council on Archives (www.ica.org), - The International Council of Museums (www.icom.museum), - The International Council on Monuments and Sites (www.icomos.org), and - The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (www.ifla.org) - The Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (www.ccaaa.org)

National Blue Shield Committees have been founded in a number of countries (18 established and 18 under construction). The Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS), founded in December 2008, will coordinate and strengthen international efforts to protect cultural property at risk of destruction in armed conflicts or natural disasters. The ANCBS has its headquarters in The Hague. Contact Information: secretariat.ICBS@blueshield.museum

The actions of the Blue Shield can also be followed on

. Facebook: "Haiti 2010 Blue Shield Solidarity" group

. Twitter : blueshieldcoop

Message from the ICOMOS President following the earthquake in Haiti (13/01/2010):

http://www.international.icomos.org/risk/Haiti_ICOMOS_Pres_Statement_20100113.pdf

Message from the ICOMOS President following the earthquake in Haiti
The horrifying news about the earthquake in from Haiti gives all indications of major devastation and loss. Once the immediate human relief effort is over, I call on all ICOMOS to come together in solidarity to help in whatever way we can with the heritage recovery process. It is the right time now to identify individual ICOMOS members and groups of members who would be willing to form part of volunteer teams to be deployed to Haiti as needed when the time comes and the heritage needs are manifested by our Haitian colleagues. For that reason, I ask all National and International Committees to circulate this letter to their full membership. Anyone interested in considering being a volunteer should drop me a line and let me know who you are so that we may keep you informed about the opportunities that arise as we learn more about the situation.
For those National Committees from countries with disaster recovery experience, we also ask that you urge your government and other national institutions to be generous with their assistance.

For me personally, Haiti is a special place where I began my professional conservation life. It was at the Citadelle and later at the Palais de Sans-Souci in Cap Haitien that I had my very first projects as head of the OAS heritage assistance mission after graduation. I know the Haitians to be a good people, possessing great dignity and generosity while living amid extreme poverty. For this reason, I put my own name down as the first volunteer to assist in whatever way I can.
Thanks to all

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Message du Président de l'ICOMOS suite au séisme en Haïti
Les terribles nouvelles sur le tremblement de terre en Haïti nous montrent l'ampleur du désastre et des pertes. Une fois que l'assistance humanitaire soit conclue, j'appelle tous les membres d'ICOMOS à se joindre à un effort solidaire pour nous aider de toutes les manières possible dans le processus de sauvetage du patrimoine. Maintenant est le temps d'identifier les membres et les groupes de membres au sein de l'ICOMOS qui seraient disponibles à aider et même à voyager en Haïti comme bénévoles une fois que les besoins seront identifiés. Pour cette raison, je prie tous les comités nationaux et internationaux de diffuser ce message à tous vos membres. Je prie aussi tous ceux qui voudraient se porter bénévoles de m'écrire et de s'identifier. Nous vous tiendrons informés de toutes les possibilités d'assistance dès que nous aurons plus d'informations sur la situation.

A ceux d'entre vous dont les pays ont une expérience dans la récupération après les grands désastres, je demanderais de faire pression sur vos gouvernements et vos instituions nationales pour qu'ils soient très généreux dans leur aide.
Haïti est pour moi un lieu très particulier, c'est la que j'ai commencé ma vie professionnelle dans la conservation. C'est à la Citadelle et puis au Palais de Sans-souci au Cap Haïtien que j'ai dirigé mes premiers projets comme chef de la mission d'assistance du patrimoine de l'OEA. Je connais bien les Haïtiens. Ce sont de bonnes personnes, qui ont une grande dignité et sont très généreux tout en vivant dans un extrême dénuement. C'est la raison pour laquelle je voudrais être le premier à m'inscrire sur la liste des bénévoles pour apporter de l'aide dans la mesure du possible.
Merci a tous

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Mensaje del Presidente de ICOMOS en raíz del terremoto en Haití
Las noticias terribles sobre el terremoto en Haití nos dan toda indicación de una gran devastación y pérdida. Una vez que la asistencia humanitaria haya concluido, lanzo un llamado a todos los miembros del ICOMOS que se unan en solidaridad para ayudar en la manera posible con la recuperación y rescate del patrimonio. Ahora es el momento adecuado para identificar los miembros y grupos de miembros del ICOMOS que estén dispuestos a formar parte en equipos de voluntarios a trabajar en Haití cuando las necesidades del patrimonio sean identificadas por nuestros colegas hatianos. Por eso les ruego a todos los comités nacionales e internacionales que circulen este mensaje a todos sus miembros. Cualquier persona que esté interesada en este voluntariado debiera escribirme para identificarse de manera que los podamos mantener informados de las oportunidades que vayan surgiendo según aprendamos más sobre la situación.
A aquellos comités nacionales de países con experiencia en la recuperación post-desastres, les pido que le urjan a sus gobiernos e instituciones nacionales de ser generosos con su ayuda.

De manera personal para mi, Haití es un lugar especial donde comencé mi vida profesional en la conservación Fueron la Citadelle y más tarde el palacio de Sans Souci mis primeros proyectos como cabeza de la misión de asistencia para el patrimonio de la OEA justo después de graduarme. Conozco de cerca a los haitianos y sé que son un pueblo digno y generoso a pesar de vivir rodeados de una extrema pobreza. Es por esa razón que inscribo mi nombre como el primer voluntario dispuesto a asistir de la manera que pueda.
Gracias a todos