VOA标准英语2010年-Bill Clinton to Lead UN Jobs Program f

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has agreed to lead a U.N. program that will offer jobs to Haitian youth as part of the clean-up and recovery¹ following last week's earthquake.

Last spring U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked Mr. Clinton to become his Special Envoy² for Haiti. Now the former president has agreed to take on an additional³ role - promoting the U.N.'s jobs for cash program.

"During my recent visit to Haiti I have met many people," said Ban Ki-moon. "What they asked us - of course they need water, food, shelter, basic needs - they need a better future. They need a better future and permanent jobs - work with dignity."

The U.N. says the jobs will include the basics of recovery such as removing rubble⁴ from the streets. They will pay $5 per day. With 20 work days per month, individuals will earn $100 each month - a very decent⁵ wage in Haiti.

Mr. Clinton said he was already working on development projects in Haiti before the earthquake and that the cash for jobs program is a natural next step.

"It is really important," said Bill Clinton. "The United States has a lot of experience with that in the Middle East, Afghanistan - that it is really important to give young people something positive to do. And a lot of people there want to be a part of rebuilding their country."

On Monday, cabinet⁶ ministers from many countries will meet in Montreal, Canada at a preliminary⁷ meeting to look ahead at Haiti's medium- and longer-term reconstruction⁸ needs.

Officials warn that the road ahead will be long and expensive. The United Nations has already appealed for more than $550 million for emergency relief over the next six months. But that figure is likely to go up and reconstruction costs will be much more.
 

1 recovery   

n.恢复，痊愈；追回，寻回，收复

参考例句：

• The doctors said that his recovery was a miracle. 医生们说他的复原是件奇事。
• The quick recovery was truly in response to medication.这次迅速康复确实是对药物治疗的反应。

2 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

3 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

4 rubble   

n.（一堆）碎石，瓦砾

参考例句：

• After the earthquake,it took months to clean up the rubble.地震后，花了数月才清理完瓦砾。
• After the war many cities were full of rubble.战后许多城市到处可见颓垣残壁。

5 decent   

adj.象样的，不错的，体面的，正派的，恰当的

参考例句：

• We want to raise our children to be decent men and women.我们盼望把孩子们培养成优秀人才。
• There isn't even a decent table in this room.这屋里连张像样的桌子也没有。

6 cabinet   

n.内阁，内阁会议；(带玻璃门存物品的)橱柜

参考例句：

• I keep my collection of old china in the cabinet.我把古瓷器收藏品存放在橱子里。
• He had held many important offices in the French cabinet.他在法国内阁中任过许多重要职务。

7 preliminary   

n.初步行动，准备，初步措施；adj.初步的，开始的，预备的

参考例句：

• They are taking preliminary steps in preparation for a possible war.他们正在为应付一场可能的战争做初步的准备。
• A physical examination is a preliminary to joining the army.体格检查是参军的初步。

8 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。