Finland to provide at least 10 million euros for Haitian reconstruction
Press release 86/2010
19 March 2010
In the coming years, Finland will provide at least 10 million euros for reconstruction in Haiti, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen revealed following the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs on Friday, 19 March.
Finland will pledge its assistance at the Haitian reconstruction conference organised by the UN in New York on 31 March. The European Union is currently arranging a sizeable reconstruction package to assist in Haiti’s reconstruction.
Finland’s aid input will contain support for reconstruction and Finland’s share of Haiti’s debt relief, to be determined together with other donors within the framework of the World Bank group.
Finland’s support for Haiti’s reconstruction can be targeted better after the reconstruction plan for Haiti is ready. Among others, the international joint fund to be established, UN agencies and international development financing institutions with programmes in Haiti are potential channels for cooperation in Finland’s sectors of know-how. Finland’s support for reconstruction covers the years 2010–2013.
The earthquake that took place in Haiti in early January has caused one of modern history’s worst humanitarian catastrophes. The Government of Haiti, with UN support, has begun to survey reconstruction needs. Alongside the Haitian government, those participating in the survey include the UN, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and EU representatives. The reconstruction needs will be presented at the conference on Haiti to be held in New York.
Even before the earthquake, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The reconstruction process will take many years, and calls for comprehensive planning and coordination among all parties.
Finland has previously granted a total of 5.4 million euros in urgent humanitarian aid to Haiti.
Additional information: Pekka Puustinen, Deputy Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia, tel. +358 9 1605 5694, mobile tel. +358 40 481 98 92; Adviser Nina Kataja, tel. +358 9 1605 5036 (debt relief) and Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, tel. +358 9 1605 6171 or mobile tel. +358 40 753 4375