Thursday at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten, the distinction "Femme de Courage d'Haïti" was given to Florence Élie, Director of the Office de Protection du Citoyen, (OPC) in haiti, for her involvement in ensuring the safety and protection of minors who live in dozens of IDP camps throughout the country.

At the head of the the OPC for nearly two years, Ms. Élie is the author of several surveys on the level of security in IDP camps. She was also co-president of the Joint Committee of the Haitian government and UN to investigate on the massacre, in January 2010, held in the civil prison of Les Cayes.

The American Ambassador, speaking about the award recipient said "it's a a person of quality [...] she has fight a lot for those who do not have much opportunity and I think that Ms. Elie is the right choice for this award"

After having thanked the Department of State to have chosen her this year as the recipient of the distinction "Femme de Courage d'Haïti", Florence Élie declared "...This is a great distinction that I have the honor of receiving today, in all modesty, on my own name of course, but also, if you allow me, on behalf of the team that surrounds me and supports me. To my closest collaborators, I want to publicly express my deepest gratitude, they are Marie-Ange, Marie-José and our newest recruit Stéphane. Given their workload, they can not be present at my side today and they apologized. This day belongs to them, happy birthday and thank you ladies. Today I also remember the countless unknown women, who give freely, tirelessly with dedication and selflessness without that nobody takes note of this precious gift, of their solicitude even those who benefits. Finally, I invite you to salute all our everyday heroes, in Haiti, mainly those who died January 12, 2010 and who left us some orphans in inheritance, take good care of these children."


BF/ HaitiLibre