Brussels, 09/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Exactly two years after the earthquake which ravaged Haiti, reconstruction is not going well, says MEP Michèle Striffler (EPP, France), permanent rapporteur for humanitarian aid to the Parliament, who will visit from 11 to 13 January, at the head of EPP Group delegation to the country. In Port-au-Prince, talks are planned with the President of the Republic, Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Garry Conille, and members of the parliament.
“The time has come to take stock and it is not good news. Rubble clearance is far from complete and more than 600,000 people are still living in insecure camps for displaced persons nearly two years after the earthquake of 12 January 2010. Reconstruction calls for stability and political good will, and proper leadership from the elected president. We could also question the effectiveness of the interim Haiti recovery commission", said Striffler on Monday.
She went on to say that progress in the rebuilding work was far from satisfactory: the process has been slowed down by administrative issues, but also by a political crisis which blocked government activities for several months. Given the financial contribution and leadership of the EU in the reconstruction work, the MEP argues that it is vital for the EU to step up its political weight in the country. It is worth noting that the European Commission has just increased its humanitarian aid to Haiti by €3 million and plans to make €15 million available in 2012. (AN/transl.fl)