Three years later, Haiti remembers the earthquake.

Renata Giraldi
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia – The poorest country in the Americas, Haiti today (January 12th) marks three years since the worst earthquake in its recent history. On January 12, 2010, a 7,3 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale and two aftershocks of smaller magnitudes struck the country, generating worldwide shock and reactions from foreign organizations, civil entities and the international community. As a result of the earthquake, approximately 220 people died and 1,5 million were left homeless in Haiti.

But even today, there are approximately 360 people sheltered in makeshift accommodations and seeking alternatives abroad, such as in Brazil and the Dominican Republic. The earthquake claimed the lives of Dr. Zilda Arns, founder of the Pastoral da Criança (Children's Pastoral), and 18 Brazilian military personnel.

The country was devastated; public buildings, hospitals, schools, and homes were destroyed. Brazil became one of Haiti's main collaborators in the reconstruction and professional training process. The reorganization of Haiti is still ongoing and relies on the support of a coordinated effort by the United States and the international community.

A few days after the earthquake, an extratropical cyclone caused flooding in the country. The country's reconstruction has been hampered by other natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes, and by the government's difficulty in coordinating public resources.

Experts following the issue report that the priority in Haiti is institutional strengthening through the training of specific personnel for the areas of energy, fossil fuels, and the social sector, such as health and education.

Brazil is the largest troop supplier to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which has been in Haiti since 2004. The troops' objective is to guarantee the stability and security of the country. Brazilian military personnel also work on urban development with engineering projects such as street paving and public lighting, as well as social projects.

The Brazilian government is also investing in technical cooperation projects, especially in the health sector, with the construction of three hospitals, two regional laboratories, a rehabilitation center, and the professional training of 2 health workers, totaling US$70 million. In the energy sector, a total of US$40 million will be donated for the construction of a hydroelectric plant that will supply electricity to more than 1 million families.

The Brazilian Embassy in Haiti informed... Agency Brazil that these figures represent the largest Brazilian cooperation efforts in the world. In parallel, authorities from Brazil and Haiti negotiated an increase in the number of visas granted to Haitians wishing to work in Brazil, without requiring prior employment.

In Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, there is a Brazil-Haiti Cultural Center offering Portuguese classes, promoting Brazilian culture, and supporting Haitian culture. Throughout 2013, 16 Haitian police officers are expected to be sent to Brazil for training, and they will then pass on what they learn to the rest of the force.

The Brazilian ambassador to Haiti, José Luiz Machado e Costa, told... Agency Brazil Solidarity is fundamental to the reconstruction process in Haiti, which is one of the poorest countries in the world – and the poorest in the Americas. "In the case of Brazil, solidarity is one of the pillars of our relationship with Haiti," he emphasized.

Edited by: Fernando Fraga

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