PRESIDENT OBAMA’S COMMITMENT
to HAITI AS A KEY PARTNER in THE REGION
President Obama and his administration have stood by the Haitian people to foster their
economic growth, enhance government capacity, strengthen democracy, and assist in the
reconstruction of their country after the January 2010 earthquake.
The Obama administration works in partnership with the Haitian government and the
international community to achieve economic growth and stability in Haiti. The Haitian-
American community has been a powerful ally in the effort to strengthen U.S. policy
initiatives in Haiti.
The United States remains Haiti’s largest trading partner and the Obama administration
supports and facilitates increased bilateral trade to the country. For example, President
Obama in 2010 signed into law the Haitian Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, which
expands and extends preferential duty-free treatment for certain knit apparel and nonapparel
textiles made in Haiti.
Haiti is a key member of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a regional security group
announced by President Obama at the 2009 Summit of the Americas. The Initiative lays
the groundwork for increased cooperation promoting public safety and security, social
justice, and combating illicit trafficking with Caribbean and partner countries.
The United States has taken a leading role in organizing international involvement
with Haiti. The Obama administration continues to work closely with our international
partners and the Haitian government to improve conditions for the people of Haiti and lay
the foundation for a long-term, sustainable recovery. The U.S. was also a member of the
board of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, established in April 2010 by the Haitian
government and co-chaired by the Haitian Prime Minister and former President Clinton.
The United States has been Haiti’s largest donor since 1973, and following the January
2010 earthquake, the U.S. government executed what became the largest international
humanitarian response to a natural disaster in American history. In total, the U.S.
government will have provided $2.2 billion toward relief, recovery, and reconstruction in
Haiti since the earthquake.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Obama administration was committed to
upholding our responsibility to assist individuals affected by the tragedy by using tools
available under the law. For example, the administration provided a temporary refuge
for Haitian nationals who were in the United States and whose personal safety would be
endangered by returning to Haiti. The administration also allowed Haitian children who
were already in the process of being adopted by American families into the U.S. before
visas could be granted.
THE EARTHQUAKE
President Obama and his administration responded to the devastation of the January 12th, 2010
earthquake with every element of America’s national capacity–our diplomacy and development
assistance; the power of our military; and, most importantly, the compassion of our country.
In more than two years since the disaster, Americans have joined people from all over the
world to help Haiti recover and rebuild.
• A U.S. Coast Guard team, a disaster assistance response team, and portions of two U.S.
urban search and rescue teams were on the ground 24 hours after the earthquake.
• In the weeks and months that followed, one in every two American households sent
contributions to Haiti.
• With the support of the United States and the help of partner organizations, the Haitian
government has led an effort to ensure people have better access to water, food, and
medical care.
Three months after the earthquake, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden traveled to
Haiti to see the devastating effects of the earthquake. They met many of the people—both
Haitian and members of the international community—who are committed to working to
rebuild and restore the country, building a better future for Haiti.
In response to the earthquake, our government support ultimately encompassed a wide
range of agencies, whose combined efforts provided humanitarian assistance that saved
and sustained the lives of millions of Haitians.
The Department Of Defense executed the longest and largest contribution to a foreign
disaster relief operation in its history. This operation included a wide range of missions:
air and seaport operations, medical airlift, medical assistance, transport and delivery of
medical commodities, evacuation of American citizens, logistics support, and support for
the World Food Program surge.
• Defense Department efforts in Haiti included more than 15,400 troops afloat and 6,800
on the ground, 113 aircraft, and 23 Navy ships, present at the request of the Government
of Haiti.
• Working in coordination with USAID, U.S. military forces distributed more than 2.6 million
liters of water, almost 2.3 million meals, and over 17 million pounds of bulk food.
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