5/21/2008

in

Haitian-born rapper starts initiative to help distribute food and assist farmers.

Shari Myles

Former Fugee Wyclef Jean spearheads an initiative to assist the underprivileged in his homeland of Haiti. The assistance is in response to last month's food riots, reported Yahoo.  
  
According to the nydailynews.com, skyrocketing food prices have started the food riots in the streets.  
  
The initiative is aimed at raising $48 million over the next six months to fund expanded food distribution, job creation and assistance for farmers in the poorest country in the Americas.  
  
The initiative is supported by the World Food Program, the Pan American Development Foundation and Yele Haiti, Jean's charitable foundation for Haiti.  
  
Jean stated at a Manhattan news conference, "We have come together to launch this new initiative because I believe we can do more and better for Haiti when we act together."  
  
"We are not only interested in feeding people in response to the current crisis, but we want to offer them an alternative that can help them in a sustainable way," he said.  
  
"Together for Haiti" plans to employ 1,800 people a day in poor areas, distribute food to 1.5 million people and provide fertilizers to 55,000 farmers. Grants will also be given to 9,000 families to support the development of micro-enterprises.