Haiti Reconstruction Donors' Conference in New York

Sources: The Canadian Press (Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada, March 31, 2010), excerpt from the European press

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened the New York conference by pledging $1.15 billion in U.S. support to rebuild Haiti. Brazil quickly followed with a pledge of $172 million. The European Union was the most generous donor with a total commitment of €1.235 billion, or about $1.6 billion. Canada pledged an additional $290 million in aid to Haiti, which will include cash as well as debt relief. Canada also announced last month that it would match $113 million in private donations to Haiti from Canadians. Haiti is the second largest recipient of direct Canadian aid after Afghanistan, with $555 million planned for 2006-2011.

"We cannot fall back on failed strategies. . . We must follow through," Clinton said as she opened the meeting. Clinton said the money would help the Haitian government's long-term plan to support agriculture, energy, health, security, and governance projects.

President René Préval thanked the international community for coming to Haiti's aid in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people. "Let us dream of a new Haiti whose destiny lies in a new project," Préval said. Préval called on Haitians at home and abroad to transform their country.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the UN special envoy to Haiti, and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive will co-chair the commission overseeing at least $3.8 billion in post-earthquake aid. The commission will be composed of representatives from donor countries, the Haitian government, the Organization of American States, the 15-nation Caribbean bloc known as CARICOM, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions.

The Haitian government estimates that it will ultimately cost $11.5 billion to rebuild.