Brussels, 11/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, held on Wednesday 12 January, was a sad affair. One year to the day since the disaster hit over one million people, Haiti still has 800,000 homeless, and reconstruction work is at a standstill. The EU, the biggest donor for helping the country with €120 million in financial support at the end of 2010, was, however, provided with an opportunity to reaffirm its determination to continue providing assistance. “One year after the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti and hurt more than one million people, we want to reaffirm that helping the country to recover remains an EU priority. We have been a steadfast partner in Haiti and we will continue to be fully committed in the long run to advancing the country's reconstruction and to helping its people build a better tomorrow”, reads a joint statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.
Those signing the statement, however, are “extremely concerned by the political situation. The current instability prevents EU humanitarian aid reaching the people in need and makes the reconstruction process slower and more complex”. They therefore call on the authorities of Haiti to “ensure the conditions for free and transparent elections” and “call on the people of Haiti to remain calm and to participate in the second round of elections peacefully”.
Addressing the press, Andris Piebalgs gave his assurance on Tuesday that Europe wishes to keep its promises and to do the very utmost for reconstruction. Despite the complex constraints during the post-earthquake period, the first year of aid achieved results, the commissioner said, going on to add that one year is not very much in terms of development. Out of the €1.2 billion that it had promised at the New York conference on rebuilding the country (a sum equivalent to the GNP of Haiti over one year), half has been committed (€600 million). “We are contributing around 25% of what was pledged by the international community”, Piebalgs said. With this funding, the EU has been able to ensure the continuity of basic services (schools, hospitals, police services, civil protection and the public sector), get agricultural production back on its feet, and the working of certain partner Commission NGOs on the ground. The use of European aid is the subject of regular and strict control to ensure funds reach destination, the commissioner assured. He called on the EU to double the pledge it made for the reconstruction of Haiti. The reason why the money allocated has not yet been fully spent is that there are a number of constraints, such as Haiti's absorption capacity, the time required for certain projects to be put into operation - rebuilding infrastructure takes three to five years for example - and also “security fears” related to the instability. The post-earthquake period must be used to rebuild Haiti on more solid foundations, with aid being tailored to priorities, Piebalgs said. The EU is engaged in a planning exercise to complete this programme: “It has to be speeded up, but a stable political situation is a pre-requisite” for making Haiti a “real partner”.
The earthquake on 12 January 2010 has gone down in history as one of the worst natural disasters ever known and also as one of the greatest movements of international solidarity, said Kristalina Georgieva. She added: “EU rescue teams have worked to help survivors and will continue to do their maximum”. The €20 million released immediately in emergency aid brought health care, shelter, water and schools to 4 million Haitians, including 500,000 who had fled Port-au-Prince. Thereafter, aid focused on preparation for the hurricane season. €22 million were allocated to medical units for the prevention of epidemics. The cholera epidemic still requires aid from the EU, with special attention being given to children and women. “The humanitarian crisis is not yet over. In 2011, aid might reach up to €33 million,” the commissioner stated. (A.N./transl.jl/rt)