UNDP in Trinidad and Tobago

About Suriname

Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. The civilian government was replaced by a military regime in 1980 who declared Suriname, a socialist republic. This government ruled until 1987 when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically elected government returned to power in 1991.

Suriname is located in Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana.

Area: 163,270 sp km

Capital: Paramaribo

Population: 494,000 (2003 Census)

The bauxite industry accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Natural resources include timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, ire ore.

Chief of State: President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan (since August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar Ajodhia (since August 2000) – the president is both the Chief of State and Head of Government.

2006 Floods update: UNDP Support to the Crisis Response in Suriname

Paramaribo. 19 May 2006. Following the heavy rainfall and resultant flooding that have left thousands homeless and very distressed in the Interior of Suriname, a number of international agencies have agreed to pledge approximately US$1.5m in relief funding to these communities through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These agencies include the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation, and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCRP/UNDP).

Within the framework of principles governing donor contributions to the United Nations, the aforementioned agencies have undertaken to channel a part of their relief funding through UNDP as part of the wider emergency response supported by the international community.

The funds will be utilized to address immediate humanitarian needs and necessities, to cover logistics related to the emergency and to provide support to the National Coordination Centre for Disaster Control (NCCR) in Suriname.

UNDP utilizes different methods whereby national authorities and organizations are in charge of implementing projects and programmes (e.g. National Execution, NGO Execution modalities). However, in exceptional circumstances, such as humanitarian crises situations, where there is need for a very rapid disbursement of funds, UNDP utilizes the Direct Execution modality of programme implementation. This means that UNDP has overall responsibility for the project, though implementation can be carried out through partner organizations such as National Authorities, Civil Society Organizations and International Organizations.

In the case of the flooding crisis in Suriname, UNDP has chosen to utilize this management approach, as it has proved to be the most responsive in other humanitarian crises in which UNDP has intervened.

Following a request from the Government of the Republic of Suriname, the Resident Coordinator of the UN System and UNDP Resident Representative in Suriname, Dr. Inyang Ebong-Harstrup, requested the assistance of a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team from OCHA. This team arrived in Suriname on 12th May and has been supporting the work of the NCCR in the intervening period.

Both UNDP and the UN system in general, have been working very closely with the National Authorities, International Partners and Civil Society Organizations on finding suitable and rapid responses to the humanitarian crisis in Suriname. The UNDP is committed to continuing to work with these partners to ensure that all possible support is provided to improve the livelihoods of those who would have suffered through this crisis.