Jean- René Thelusmond's Statement of Purpose

Due to its geographical location, Haiti is particularly exposed to extreme weather phenomena. Located in the hurricane path of the Caribbean region, Haiti’s aggravated land degradation trends translate into highly vulnerability to natural disasters. Storms, heavy rainfalls, and landslides are more frequent and severe in this region.
Hydro meteorological, seismic and other natural events pose a permanent ongoing threat to the Haitian people living in different regions of the country. The low level of development becomes evident in the fragile infrastructure, the poor and anarchic building fabric of housing. In addition, low levels of political and social organization as well as the absence of warning systems make Haiti more vulnerable to natural disasters.
In my undergraduate study, I was exposed to a number of subjects in environmental management that quenched my thirst for more knowledge. My previous training program in Natural Resources and Environment added to my experience, gave me ample scope for a clear understanding of theoretical and practical ideas. In order to excel in the field of my study, I was taught subjects like remote sensing and Cartography with deep insights into interpretation of satellite images. Added to this, my department offered courses like: Climatology & Meteorology, Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Management, Hydrostatic and Hydrodynamic, Watershed management, Ecology etc.
Since my freshman year at the Faculté d’Agronomie of the State University of Haiti (where I received my diploma of Agronomist Engineer), I became aware of Haiti’s enviromental challenges and of the responsabilities that some how are laid upon me toward my country’s future. Most of the courses included in the curriculum, provided me the opportunity to better understand the overwhelming environmental problem of Haiti.
In May 2004, Fonds Verrette area was swept away by a huge flood which killed 2. 665 people and left 31.130 survivors homeless. A couple of months later, Gonaives City and its neighboring areas were struck by huricane Jeanne, which was considered as one of the deadliest hurricane that has ever happened in Haiti.More than 315.594 people were affected and 2.754 were killed. Those events motivated me to rapidly conclude my studies in order to get involved in projects that could save my country from such sorrowful disasters. As pointed out in the previous lines, I enjoy helping needful people wherever they live. I also enjoy informing, training and enlightening others.
Since I graduated in September 2006 until December 2007, I have been involved as co-worker with Mr. Jocelyn LOUISSAINT, my reseacher advisor, in several projects addressing environmental matter. The greatest one was held in Gonaives City and its neighboring area, where I had to collect useful data on land degradation, land use and the basic needs of the population in terms of technical and socio-economical support. This data was designed to help policy-makers take better decisions regarding prevention and mitigation of disaster risk by reducing the vulnerability. On March 2008, I was appointed as consultant by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) to join a team of researchers lead and supervised by Mr. Frisner PIERRE, to assess the environmental and socio-economic situation of Montrouis and Limbe watersheds populations prior to the implementation of Economic Development for a Sustainable Environment project. However my experience showed me that much of the information available in Haiti regarding disaster risk is incomplete and is not disaggregated, this makes the information outdated and/or useless as a baseline.
I wish to bring a better contribution to the way disaster risk management is approached in my country, with the objective to contribute to strengthening national and local disaster risk management capabilities through the creation of a reliable risk assessment for the prevention and mitigation of disaster by developing appropriate early-warning systems. To do so, an advanced knowledge in this matter is necessary for my efficiency. In particular I would like to take part in the designing and implementation of community based disaster risk assessment, identification of measures for hazard and vulnerability reduction, and community capacity building. I would like to prepare risk reduction plans and understand how to integrate them into development activities.
I am interested in following the program in your University as it will allow me to understand the nature and impact of disasters on the natural environment, human life as well as their possessions. I am expecting to learn about risk analysis, risk perception, risk communication and risk mitigation; moreover I would like to establish strategic plans for disasters in order to mitigate their harmful effects, as well as to respond and recover from them in a more efficient and timely manner. I look forward to acquiring knowledge on tropical cyclones, including the various climatic factors involved, in a perspective that would enable me to transfer to the particular cases of both Haiti and the Caribbean region. I also intend to get a broad understanding on managing cartographic data, in particular integrating remote sensed data into geographic information systems.

Upon the completion of my study, when coming out from U.S., I will work with endangered population, policymakers, national and international stakeholders involved in disaster risk management. A part of my time will be dedicated to the teaching of young people in my home country, for I have a keen talent for teaching. Finally, I wish to assure any university in the U.S. that it can find a motivated, diligent, disciplined and a dedicated student in me. So I believe that these qualities will account for my success.