MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
When Haiti was hit by an earthquake on 12January, Australia was one of the first countries to offer support.
In response to the terrible suffering of the people of Haiti, Australia provided $10 million for emergency humanitarian assistance including food and medical services for displaced persons and pledged $5 million toward the long-term job of reconstruction.
On 31 March, Australian officials participated in the International Donors' Conference towards a New Future for Haiti at the United Nations headquarters in NewYork. Over 150 countries and international organisations came together to pledge over US$10 billion to help the people of Haiti rebuild their future.
In addition to the $5 million previously announced, Australia pledged an additional $9 million for the long term reconstruction of Haiti.
This brings Australia's overall contribution to Haiti to $24 million: an initial $10 million for emergency recovery and $14 million for long-term reconstruction.
Australia's commitment to rebuilding Haitiincludes a contribution to the World Bank's Haiti Reconstruction Fund, a multi-donor trust fund which will coordinate international support for recovery and reconstruction.
Australia is also working with countries and regional organisations in the Caribbean and Latin America to support Haiti.
Australia will work with Brazil to help revive the agriculture sector, which accounts for more than 25 per cent of Haiti's economy, and with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to help improve their ability to respond to disasters in the region.
Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Haiti in the difficult months ahead, and will work with Haiti and the international community on the massive task of rebuilding the country.