Councilman Alix Desulme, Ed. D., Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin, and City Clerk Vanessa Joseph, Esq.

Councilman Alix Desulme, Ed. D., Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin, and City Clerk Vanessa Joseph, Esq. will take a One-Day Trip to Haiti to Assess US and Haiti Earthquake Response & Relief Efforts 

North Miami, FL – August 30, 2021

City of North Miami Councilman Alix Desulme, Ed.D., Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin, and City Clerk Vanessa Joseph, Esq. will travel to Haiti today, August 30th, to assess earthquake response and relief efforts. As Chairman of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), Councilman Desulme will lead a delegation of eight NHAEON members during today’s one-day visit to Haiti. 

“The purpose of this fact-finding mission is to assess the United States & Haitian governments’ response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck on August 14, 2021,” said Councilman Desulme. 

Once they arrive in Haiti, the group will take a helicopter ride coordinated by the US military to tour affected areas in southwestern Haiti. The members will meet with Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, US Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison, Haitian Ambassador to the US Bocchit Edmond, and the USAID Bureau of Humanity Aid organization staff, USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), members of the US military, and USAID staff based in Haiti. The group will also meet with Jerry Chandler, Director General of Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, and other Haitian government officials during the visit. The delegation will also receive a briefing from US Ambassador Michele Sison, DART Doug Stropes, and Cam Saint-Cyr with IOM Chief of Mission Giuseppe Loprete and Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti Bruno Lemarquis. 

Later today, the delegation will return to Ft. Lauderdale Airport at 9:15 p.m. where they will share their findings via NHAEON’s YouTube and Facebook Live. To request an interview with Councilman Desulme, please email your request to Susset Cabrera at sucabrera@northmiamifl.gov. 

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Media Contact:

Susset Cabrera, Communications Manager
305 895 9888, Ext. 12151
news@northmiamifl.gov

About the City of North Miami

North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).

About The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network

NHAEON is the largest network of Haitian American Elected & Appointed Officials organization in the US. Our members represent millions of constituents across the nation. NHAEON members are dedicated to supporting domestic policies, legislation & issues affecting Haitians living in the United States. NHAEON is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan organization that Engages Haitian Americans in the political process and amplifies our communities’ voices by enhancing Haitians’ lives through the advancement of civic engagement, social justice, equality, and equity.