Donors Conference on Haiti - Statement by Brazilian Foreign Minister

Statement by Minister Celso Amorim during the International Donors’ Conference Toward a New Future for Haiti - New York, March 31, 2010

Source: Government of Brazil
Date: 31 Mar 2010

President René Préval,

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,

Former President Bill Clinton,

Brazil co-chairs this Donors' Conference with the conviction we are gathered here to make sure that the Haitian people find the path of sustainable development. This process has to be undertaken under the guidance of the Haitian government, with the support of the international community.

Brazil is confident that Haiti is capable of overcoming the present challenges and of taking full ownership of its destiny. I congratulate the Haitian Government for submitting its Action Plan. This will allow us to channel our support effectively, in accordance with its national priorities.

Two and a half months ago, on that terrible January 12, all of us watched the painful scenes of destruction and human suffering. This sense of shock may have slightly faded in the media since January. It is our duty to prove that the international community does not forget that tragedy, and that its commitment to translate solidarity into action remains alive. Maybe the 12th of January could be declared the universal date of solidarity.

The emergency phase is not over yet. As we speak, one million Haitians are homeless, living under improvised shelters. Hundreds of thousands are terrified by the threat of the approaching rainy season. Parents do not send their children to schools for fear of their security.

But our main goal today must be to assist Haitians in setting the conditions for a sustained long term development. These must ensure social justice, political stability and the full realization of human rights.

I come here today with the full backing not only of my Government, but also of Brazilian society. I can hardly remember a time when Brazilians felt such a strong sympathy towards another country and expressed this feeling so generously and effectively.

President Lula visited Haiti last month. I myself went to Haiti just ten days after the earthquake. Many Brazilian ministers and other authorities have been to Haiti, most recently the Minister of Health.

Brazil's commitment to Haiti is neither new nor circumstantial. Since January 12, Brazil has pledged and disbursed US$ 167 million in short-term humanitarian assistance. The Brazilian Air Force has operated over 130 humanitarian flights between Haiti and Brazil, which carried over 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including a full military campaign hospital.

I am now honored to announce that Brazil is pledging an additional amount of US$ 172 million for the long-term recovery and reconstruction of Haiti. This sum includes US$ 94.5 million for health. It also includes US$ 40 million under the Brazil-UNASUL program destined for infrastructure projects. It also includes a grant of US$ 15 million in direct budget support for the Haitian Government. This is fully consistent with our view that the Government of Haiti must be the leader of the reconstruction process.

Our challenge today is to ensure that support by the international community be sustainable and directed to long-term results. In this context, I would like to reiterate our proposal that all countries that are members of the WTO – and maybe even those that are not members of the WTO – offer duty-free, quota-free access to Haitian goods, with preferential rules of origin for a period long enough to allow for investments and sustained growth. This is a test case for the international community to show its willingness and capacity to come together in favor of a just and undisputed cause. Helping Haiti is beyond any ideological, religious or political struggle.

This is really a historical occasion. We have the opportunity to pay respect to what the Haitians' struggle symbolizes: their pioneering fight for independence and the elimination of slavery in our continent. The Haitian Revolution was a major event in modern History. For the first time, African expatriates in the Americas reclaimed the promises of freedom, liberty and equality. Let us help the brave people of Haiti make these promises true.

Thank you