In a political climate marred by corruption, where 13 out of 15 ministry buildings collapsed while officials worked, government response was virtually nonexistent on Jan. 12, 2010. Although world leaders pledged support and huge sums of money, Many were dubious about the promised aid ever making it to Haiti given the frail political state of the country. However, former President Bill Clinton rushed to the scene immediately after the murderous earthquake and changed the dynamics.
After cofounding the Clinton Haiti Fund with former President George W. Bush to raise money for rebuilding efforts, he partnered with Coca Cola Company, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Multilateral Investment Funds (MIF) develop a long-term mango industry in Haiti. The charitable foundation offers grants to Haitians who would like to help rebuild their country among several other great projects. He even offered to get on the phone with world leaders who pledged support to ensure the promised aid got to Haitians.
When speaking with the media about Haitians affairs and the rebuilding process, he speaks with the mastery and confidence of Haitian national. He brought many experts to Haiti to assist officials in picking their country up from the rubble and is always the first one to defend government officials and the Haitian people in the face of harsh criticism from the media. President Clinton seems to be all over the world at the same time, yet he still finds time to have a personal life. Had it not been for he, the face of legitimacy and reliability, the recovery efforts that many criticize for being too slow would be on a road to nowhere.
On the one-year anniversary of the earthquake, President Clinton found himself at the heart of everything again. His involvement, influence and leadership should inspire young Haitian to sacrifice for their country and, one day, make it the envy of the Caribbean and the world.
Rapadoo,
Clinton’s Schedule on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake:
Tuesday, January 11, President Bill Clinton will travel to Haiti to mark the one-year anniversary of the January 12 earthquake. While there, he will visit projects supported by the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, members of the Clinton Global Initiative, and facilitated through the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC). President Clinton will also hold a press conference with Prime Minister Bellerive.
On Wednesday, he will participate in events in remembrance of the victims of the earthquake.
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**ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
11:30 AM
President Clinton visits rubble clearing site
Route des Dalles and Rue Roi Levesque
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Call Time: 11:15 AM
OPEN PRESS
1:15 PM
President Clinton attends an MOU signing between the Haitian Government, the U.S. Government and Sae-A
Haiti Apparel Center, SONAPI Industrial park
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Call Time: 12:45 PM
OPEN PRESS
3:00 PM
President Clinton participates in a ribbon cutting ceremony
Iron Market
Marché en Fer, located on Boulevard Jean Jacques Dessalines
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Call Time: 2:30 PM
OPEN PRESS
5:15 PM
President Clinton holds a press conference with Prime Minister Bellerive to release the one-year report of the IHRC’s efforts
Primature
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Call Time: 4:45 PM
OPEN PRESS
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
10:00 AM
President Clinton participates in an event in remembrance of the victims of the earthquake
Direction Générales des Impots Site
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
OPEN PRESS
12:45 PM
President Clinton visits General Hospital
General Hospital
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Call Time: 12:15 PM
OPEN PRESS
2:15 PM
President Clinton visits Metal Crafters Project
#12 Village de Noaille
Croix des Bouquets, Haiti
Call Time: 1:45 PM
OPEN PRESS
4:00 PM
President Clinton participates in UN Commemoration
UN MovCon
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
CLOSED PRESS
