WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) issued the following statements announcing the Senate’s passage of a resolution (S.Res.414) calling for the recovery, rehabilitation, and rebuilding of Haiti following the humanitarian crisis caused by the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.
This legislation urges the U.S. government and the international community to provide resources to support the government of Haiti’s leadership in earthquake recovery efforts, to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment and to create a national recovery and development strategy. It also encourages international financial institutions to support critical economic and security priorities and calls on the IMF, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to relieve Haiti’s external debt obligations.
“America has rushed much needed assistance to Haiti since the earthquake,” said Chairman Kerry. “While Haitians need our immediate help, they must also be empowered to build their own future down the road -- a sustainable physical, social, and economic foundation for a stronger and more stable society. To help achieve this goal, I plan to introduce a more comprehensive authorization bill for Haiti in the coming weeks.”
“Many Americans have deep ties to Haiti and are interested in giving a helping hand. The Senate will continue to assess measures that will help Haiti and develop greater stability and hopefully new opportunities,” Lugar said.
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