A DAY IN HAITI

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
New York City, March 31, 2010

SECRETARY GENERAL BAN: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, excellencies, your colleagues. Today, the international community has come together dramatically in solidarity with Haiti and its people. President Preval’s rendezvous with history has come to pass. By their actions this day, the friends of Haiti have acted far beyond the expectation. We can report very good news. The member states of the United Nations and international partners have pledged $5.3 billion U.S. dollars for the next two years and $9.9 billion in total for the next three years and beyond.

Today, the United Nations are united for Haiti. The international community has acted unanimously and for the long term. This is the down payment Haiti needs for wholesale national renewal. It is the way to building back better. Now, it comes down to implementation – delivery on our promises, transparency, and accountability. We must make sure Haiti gets the money it needs when it needs it. And we must guarantee that it is well-coordinated and well-spent.

I want to thank, once again, international community for their extraordinary generosity. This is international solidarity in action. I also want to thank co-host Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the five co-chairs present here for the successful outcome. My special appreciation should go to Special Envoy President Bill Clinton.