One-Year Anniversary of Jan. 12 Haiti Earthquake: A Time for Remembrance, Reflection

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ACDI/VOCA released the following statement from President Carl Leonard in remembrance of the Jan. 12 Haiti earthquake:

"Today, on this anniversary of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti, the ACDI/VOCA family pauses to remember the nearly 300,000 people who lost their lives in the disaster and its aftermath.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti who have lost so much—many family members and friends, their homes, communities and livelihoods.

"Throughout this year, we have witnessed the great strength and spirit of the Haitian people who continue to inspire our staff—and the world—with their determination to rebuild.

"In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we saw Haitian firefighters and local residents in Jacmel, who had little or no equipment, pull people out of collapsed buildings with their bare hands. Local staff members from the Haitian government, United Nations and nongovernmental organizations, including our own, helped with emergency relief efforts despite having lost family members and suffering personal trauma themselves.

"We've witnessed as well the generosity and compassion of the global community, which has helped the Haitian people recover and start rebuilding amid the earthquake's wreckage.

"Toward that end, our remembrance today also requires a certain reflection. While the immediate international response saved lives, too many Haitians continue to suffer. We must ask ourselves: What is the best way forward?

"Long-term economic success in Haiti will depend on helping a critical mass of economic actors, especially smallholder farmers, overcome their many constraints and capitalize on opportunities. While the immediate priority is household food security, a market-based approach to agricultural development can enable farmers to lead economic transformation.

"Haiti continues to offer promising economic and agricultural potential. Helping Haitians develop that potential should be our community's priority as the most meaningful way to honor the memory of lives lost and recognize the lives still at stake.

"We remain committed to Haiti's recovery for the long term."

ABOUT ACDI/VOCA

ACDI/VOCA is a global leader in economic and social development that is committed to reducing poverty and hunger by expanding economic opportunities for people, enterprises and local organizations through innovative business practices. Learn more at www.acdivoca.org.

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Media Contact: Sandra Bunch, ACDI/VOCA, 202.469.6166, [email protected]

SOURCE ACDI/VOCA