04 June 2002

Bonn, Germany: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the French water and energy group, SUEZ, today announced the start of their first joint volunteer project to provide technical advice in support of development efforts in Honduras.

It is the first mission sent out after a cooperation agreement signed last September between the UNV programme and the large energy and water distributor to promote the use of volunteer services in support of industrial or commercial enterprises in developing countries.

The first phase of this first mission will be conducted between 3 and 15 June. A follow-up phase is planned for July.

Belgian volunteer René Claude Gastout will carry out the work. Programme Director at Energy Assistance (the personnel division of SUEZ-Tractebel), he will travel to Copán, western Honduras, where he will help the municipality develop an electrification plan which will provide much needed electric power to hundreds of communities within the region. The plan will help bring a reliable supply of electricity to 115,000 persons, who currently suffer from only sporadic access to power.

“This mission will bring to the people of the Higuito River basin practical energy solutions -- high priorities for development of the region,” said UNV Programme Officer in Honduras, Alfredo Gadea.

Mr. Gastout will also make look into possibilities to implement the municipality’s plan to construct a hydroelectric plant. The energy specialist will advise on an energy network, including other sources of ecologically-sound energy, such as biomass. This is extremely important for Copán and its surrounding region which is rich in natural resources but has recently suffered greatly from forest fires, air pollution and soil contamination.