Today, as we mark ten years since the devastating earthquake that hit the country on January 12, 2010, the United States sends our condolences to the people of the Republic of Haïti and commends their enduring commitment to building a stronger nation. We remember the hundreds of thousands who were killed, and stand in solidarity with those whose lives were forever changed that day.  We salute the determination of the Haitian people, who responded with courage in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake--digging through tons of rubble to save their neighbors--and continue to strive every day to improve their lives. 

During my several visits to Haïti, I have been inspired by the tenacity of Haitians from the faith-based community, civil society, educators, health professionals, young people, and private-sector leaders who are committed to making a difference for their country.  They are the future of Haïti, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) stands with them as they seek a brighter tomorrow.

Since 2010, USAID has been proud to walk with the Haitian people as they seek to rebuild their country.  In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, USAID deployed search-and-rescue teams as part of an international effort that saved more than 130 people; provided emergency food relief for nearly four million people; provided safe drinking water for up to 1.3 million people daily; and, alongside other international donors, provided basic shelter materials to 1.5 million people.

Over the last ten years, we have worked together with the Haitian people to help 70,000 farmers increase crop yields, support more than 160 basic health clinics, vaccinate 73,000 children, serve more than 515,000 students, and respond to natural and manmade disasters, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and provided emergency food assistance to over 181,000 Haitians in response to the current humanitarian crisis.  We have helped entrepreneurs and businesses from across Haïti by providing seed money and access to markets that have helped them to realize their goals and reinvest directly into the local economy.

As we remember the past, we look to the future with clear eyes.  What we see in Haïti today is the effect of natural disasters compounded by man-made disasters, which continue to create extraordinarily challenging situations.  The people of Haïti deserve peace, prosperity, and stability, which can only come through partnership with a committed, citizen-responsive Government. We renew our call for Haïti's political, economic, and civil-society stakeholders to find common ground to serve the Haitian people.