Above: Port-au-Prince (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dutch national Peter de Clercq has been named the new top United Nations humanitarian coordination official in Haiti.

De Clercq’s new post was announced by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday. He will serve as Ban’s Deputy Special Representative for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti and as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative.

De Clercq “brings to the position a solid experience in managing political processes, security sector development, operations and emergency management, protection of civilians and rule of law as well as mobilization of humanitarian and development assistance,” a spokesperson for Ban said Wednesday in a statement.

De Clercq succeeds Nigel Fisher, who concluded his tour in Haiti in July.

“The Secretary-General is grateful to Mr Fisher for his dedication and service in Haiti, including as his Special Representative ad interim since February 2013,” Ban’s spokesperson said.
De Clercq has been serving as senior advisor of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia.