Round-up on Haiti

Last week’s International Donors Conference on Haiti illustrated the power of diplomacy in action, as the international community pledged an impressive $15 billion over the next three years and beyond to help rebuild the country.  Done right, Haiti can be a powerful example of what modern, coordinated development assistance can do.  Many experts have remarked that Haiti was already on the rise before the earthquake with strategic plans to build up the economy, but now the bar is set even higher for the tiny island nation.

Haitian authorities, who had asked for about $4 billion in aid for the next 18 months, described the outpouring of support from the international community as “testimony that Haiti is not alone.”  Being in the Western hemisphere, it’s in the strategic interests of the U.S. to help Haiti.  From the beginning of the crisis, USAID has been leading the recovery efforts there with strong cooperation and assistance from both the diplomatic and military communities.  Taking on the task of coordinating the aid efforts during his first week in office, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah has won plaudits for his leadership in responding to the earthquake, demonstrating the ability of America’s civilian agencies to lead the way in U.S. foreign policy.

In donating such a large sum at the Donors Conference, the United States is elevating its commitment to diplomacy and development, which, alongside defense, form the three-legged stool of American foreign policy. In her remarks at the Conference, Secretary Clinton made clear that contributing to Haiti’s rebirth is not only consistent with America’s best values, it is in our self-interest: “Each of these problems directly affects the people of Haiti, but they indirectly affect us all.” Problems like drug trafficking “thrive on political and social instability.” A strong Haiti has positive effects throughout the region, she continued: “Haiti will become an engine for progress and prosperity generating opportunity and fostering greater stability for itself and for countries throughout the hemisphere and beyond,” Haiti will also have its own “strange bedfellows” program as it rebuilds.

The Conference’s Co-Hosts and Co-Chairs released a statement emphasizing the importance of international coordination in rebuilding Haiti. The statement highlighted the “importance of holding outreach consultations with a large number of key communities, including the Haitian people, civil society, NGOs, local governments, the private sector, the Haitian Diaspora, and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti stakeholders.”

Photo Credit: United Nations

Leave a comment