Haiti Herald, March 8, 2010

Restoring agriculture is seen as crucial to help Haiti feed itself and to provide jobs. The Haitian government estimates that it needs $1 billion over the next decade to revive the agricultural sector. - Brazilian scientists are developing 50 acres to plant corn, rice and beans. - The UN Food and Agricultural Organization has started a cash-for-work program to help farmers replace 20-30,000 wheelbarrows, shovels and other equipment that were lost in the earthquake. (Haiti Globe)

School will officially open on April 5. The Ministry of Education encourages all schools that are able to re-initiate classes. New school calendars and programs will be distributed by the government to help teachers get back on track. (Haiti Press)

Now that the government has officially set a date for reopening schools they face a new dilemma - what to do with the refugees living on the school grounds? Will they force refugees to leave school premises? Where will they go? The new camps are not ready. Refugees refuse to abandon the schools - the only safe place they have to live. "If necessary we will defend ourselves. We are ready to burn tires if they come in". The refugees are already organized in the camps where they are living. Many receive weekly humanitarian aid that they would lose access to if they moved to a different area of the city. Medical services are also readily available where they now live. (Haiti Press)

Rubble from the quake will be used to rebuild the capital. Officials plans to reuse much of the debris being cleared away from collapsed buildings. About 90% of the construction debris can be recycled. The debris from the Jan. 12 quake is enough to fill the LA Superdome - 5 times. (Haiti Star)

According to it's own estimates, the government of Haiti pegged funds needed to rebuild the nation at $4 billion. Donor nations have already committed more than $5.3 billion over the next two years. The international monies will be used to build hospitals, schools and government buildings.

Update: Schools did not reopen on April 5 as planned. Most schools are still rebuilding. The majority of the larger schools were severely damaged. Of those that did not collapse, most students are too fearful to enter and refuse to do so. The adopted solution is to rebuild. New schools are being built of wood with tin roofs - leaving most of the side walls open. The new date for reopening of schools is next week -- maybe. (Haiti Press)