On behalf of the Ministry for Social Services and Housing, I hereby refer to the request from the United Nations Human Center for Settlements (UNCHS), dated December 14, 1999, to send an update on the process of initiating or establishing a broad-based gender -balanced National Habitat Committee that will oversee the preparatory process of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, at national and local level. In this regard we can report as follows:

The housing policy of the Government of Suriname is within the mandate of the Ministry for Social Services and Housing and stated in the Government Policy Statement. Looking at the concrete elaboration of the policy we can conclude that results have been meager because of the overall negative economic conditions in recent years.

Building costs are somewhat 200 US$ per m2.

Through registration the need for adequate housing is estimated at 30.000 people/households within the low - and middle income groups. Updating of figures is difficult because of the shortage in manpower and technology.

From 1996 up till now some progress has been made in tackling the housing problem in general and the housing shortage in particular.

Policy aims to reduce the need of housing are:

• Social housing: for low – income households/persons that have a plot of land or a house but cannot afford new construction or repair, technical advise and building materials can be provided;

• Construction of houses for the needy.

(See enclosures)

In 1996 the Government of Suriname installed a Task – Force Unit for consultancy, monitoring and implementation of a National Housing Plan, in order to solve or consolidate the exceptional housing need on short term, at reasonable level.

The efforts which the Government has made up till now in the housing sector for the needy low – income & middle-class groups and others on the waiting-lists for subsidized or merchandised houses is based on a short -, middle - and long term (5 years) housing programme (1996 – 2001). The short - term policy of the Government is to build about 10.000 houses with the intention to complete 2000 houses per year. Because of structural social - economic reasons the results are below expectations.

In the private building sector there are also executive activities on a large scale. The target group is in this case the substantially or financially strong. In its effort to develop and implement a strategy to solve the housing problem, the Government is confronted with a number of bottle necks which demand an urgent and structural solution. Finalization and implementation of a National Habitat Committee on short term is therefore a must, just as an appeal to different kinds of organizations to devote to a solution.

The National Habitat Committee is not yet operational in Suriname, though the Ministry for Social Services and Housing has made commencement with setting up a frame – work for such a Committee. For the realization of this Committee there is need for technical assistance and expertise. Although we are still dealing with traditional systems, the conditions, guidelines and procedures of the UNCHS (HABITAT) conception are incorporated.

In March 2000, the Government of Suriname decided, on terms of social debt from the Government towards the people, to sell a total of 1138 rental houses managed by the Housing Foundation of Suriname (S.V.H.S.) to the tenants of these houses. Floor areas differ from 40 – 68 m2, depending on the size of the family. It regards houses that were built some 10 or 20 years ago by the Government.

The price is approximate 25 % of the actual value as formally appraised (estimated $ 400 - $ 1600).

STRUCTURAL BOTTLE – NECKS THAT WE FACE IN TACKLING THE HOUSING – NEED ARE:

1. The construction of low - income houses was until 1982 financed by Dutch foreign aid. Due to the lasting scarcity of financial means in the country since 1982, there has been a major impediment in the implementation of low - income housing projects. Suriname had to finance the housing projects with its own sources and donor agencies. In practice this led to a sharp (almost complete) reduction in the output of public housing. With the preparation of an Urgent Public Housing Project, scheduled for 1996 – 2001, the Government made the first step in consolidating the need for adequate housing.

2. Aside from the lack of financial means, Suriname also had to contend with a lack of adequate knowledge in the area of housing and urban development, partly as results of the brain - drain of qualified personnel to the private sector and to foreign countries. As a result, the quality and the scientific base of the housing policy have been weakened.

3. Another fundamental obstacle in the execution of the housing policy is the increase of prices in the construction sector. Because of the lack of foreign exchange it has become almost impossible to import the necessary quantity of building materials.

• The development of a financing system for the benefit of low - income housing. The financing system has to attain a sufficient extend to guarantee the output of the annually required quantity of houses. The financing system will be established according to the principle of a revolving fund. To supplement the local funds an appeal will have to be made for foreign financial assistance.

• The continuation and expansion of current cooperation agreements with both foreign multilateral organizations and with donor countries, in order to make use of the technical and financial support and know - how which these organizations and countries can offer.

• The aim to lower foreign component in housing construction by stimulating the production of local building materials and by promoting local production techniques. In this endeavor, Suriname has already received assistance from the UNCHS resulting in the production of tiles and a pilot study on the production of rice husk ash cement.

• The application on a larger scale of the principle of Self-Help. Self-Help is already applied in Suriname on a small scale but the Surinamese Government will do its utmost to increase the role of Self-Help in the construction of houses. It is expected that this will lead to a lager degree of responsibility among the residents, due to resource based building material e.g. timber, sand, clay etc. Further there was a project initiated to process timber waste into wallboards.

There is a need for bigger participation of the NGOs. NGOs stand closer to the target-group and have more knowledge on the specific problems of the community. This gives them the opportunity to participate directly in the realization of housing projects.

NGOs nominated to receive financing from external sources to realize housing projects are limited at this moment. In order to attack this problem, there is need for structural changes such as:

• create conditions for bigger participation of the target group in the process of decision - making;

• acceptance by the Government of the bigger role of NGOs in housing programmes for people without resources;

• backing up the initiative of the Commission of NGOs (Forum NGOs). Incorporate as many representatives of this group as possible in the development and execution of the housing management. One representative of this group should be a member of the board of the Housing Foundation of Suriname;

• make more financial resources available to NGOs through a positive supporting role of the government by facilitating access to local and foreign funds;

• Institutional strengthening through training programs for participants in community organizations and other NGOs active in the housing problem;

• Collaboration between NGOs and the Government by the execution of housing programs.

• Supporting management

Next to specific housing management proposals, other supporting laws and measures (provisions) are necessary, in order for the government to be able to make use of the available plot.

The technical preparation and political management of a structural plan for Paramaribo deserves priority.

Modification of the current administrative procedures of land registration: meaning a juridical registration of land property, settlements, production areas and settlements of tribe’s is urgently needed in order to resolve/avoid conflicts about land.

There is not structural granting of plots of land by the Government. The emission of plots of land should only take place after a general test related to the special/regional management has taken place.

It is necessary that private land - owners are urged to provide land for the needy, so that these plots are not wasted, but made of use.

 

Since 1999 there is also an infra - structural reconditioning program of roads in planning. This reconditioning program started up within the reconditioning and pavement of 720 km length of roads in the city and popular neighborhoods (working class quarters). Enlarging of bus – services in several working class quarters is included in this project and also the improvement of the condition of the sewerage networks and drainage canals.

The department of Environmental Management is on regular base very busy with environmentally friendly measures, focused on the control of disease – sources, the fight of the dengue mosquito’s and its breeding places. Further a responsible way of waste treatment and removal of illegal refuse heaps.

Recently the finalization of a sanitary project for the improvement and the extension of local public waterworks in the popular neighborhoods and partly in the city has taken place, so that safe drinking water is within the reach of a everyone.

The Ministry of Public Health had carried out an anti - malaria campaign in the far districts and hinterland. This resulted in a decrease of malaria.

Our Government has formally adopted a gender-policy based on some legislative rules. The gender movement is organized in some strong organizations and is internationally linked.

Within the Ministry of Home Affairs there is a National Gender Bureau to carry out the national gender - policy/program.

Social security is one of the main goals of social policy, carried out by the Ministry for Social Services and Housing. For a large number of the main target – groups, several programs for example provisions of medical card; financial support; Child allowance, have been set up and proclaimed to meet specific and particular social needs of the people. Also special attention is paid to the legislative and administrative structures. There is a staff of experts to do necessary studies, investigations and consultations.

In the perception of the Government of Suriname, sustainable growth and development of all Surinamese people have priority, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups i.e. older persons, the disabled and low - and middle income groups.

A side from economical development there is a necessity to give much attention to social development. All human beings should have access to means to improve their living conditions.

To increase the afore-mentioned, the following aspects are important: education, adequate housing, employment and health care.

In January 1999 the Government gave a more pragmatic approach to her policy. In an effort to increase social well-being of vulnerable groups, she initiated the estimation of a subsistence minimum level on monthly basis. This measurement is made to readjust the provided social services to an appropriate level.

Social services provided through the Ministry are:

• financial support given on monthly basis to adults or households as a contribution to their basic needs;

• free medical services: there is a medical support scheme for the poor;

• child support is provided on a monthly basis to parents without financial child support from their employer, as well for those who are not employed;

• old-age pension is a monthly allowance to all persons of 60 years and older who reside in Suriname;

• financial support for those with a low - income to purchase school uniforms and school supplies.

Apart from social services, there is the aspect of Social Community Work that promotes structural improvement and development of the living conditions at neighborhood and regional level, through counseling, providing information and reference.

Through Categorical Social Work the focus is put on the well-being of the older persons, the disabled and youth.

There are various departments within the Ministry of Social Services and Housing to cover this aspect.

The Government also installed a committee that has prepared the implementation of a financial support scheme. Up till now, a few basic needs are subsidized by the Government in an effort to keep the prices of these products are at a reasonable height. The costs in connection with this method are high for the Government.

The target groups for this scheme is:

• older persons (60 years and older)

• the disabled

• former civil servants without a pension

The intention is to extend the target groups who can benefit from this scheme to the unemployed.

Policy aims are:

1. Situation analysis on the living conditions of the elderly (preparatory phase)

2. Secure a subsistence-minimum income to provide in their basic needs through an old age pension

3. Establish a medical services system

4. Focus is also on letting older persons stay as much as possible in a familiar environment; due to this preparations are made to introduce legislation on Home Care (concept is ready)

5. Extra training for geriatric helpers

6. Preparations to review the current Old Age Fund.

Due to the fact that, the United Nations has declared 1999, to be the International Year of Older persons, a national committee has been installed, which will execute activities for the elderly, e.g. in May ’99 a congress was held where the participation and involvement of elderly in the society was discussed.

Further tasks of this committee will be, increasing the awareness about the place and rights of older persons in the society.

In March 2000, this Committee presented a Long - Term Development plan for the elderly.

THE DISABLED

The present Government has incorporated policy aims to stimulate and promote the involvement of the disabled in the society by:

1. Providing access to applicable education and adequate courses to minors with disabilities

2. Educating parents/guardians trying to stimulate and advance social integration of disabled minors

3. Structural improvement of the provision of services to the disabled by focusing on i.e. extra training courses for service providers.

Enclosure: 5 (five)

UN - Habitat
Oficia Regional para América Latina y el Caribe
Av. Presidente Vargas, 3131/1304 - Cidade Nova - Rio de Janeiro
20210-030    RJ - Brasil
Tel. (55.21) 2515-1700   Fax (55.21) 2515-1701