Port-au-Prince, 13 January 2022 (TDI): On the 12 of January, Mexico remembered the Haitians affected by the devastating earthquake in the Capital twelve years ago. Indeed, Mexico expressed its support to the government and people of Haiti.
How Mexico helped Haiti after the earthquake
After the disaster, the International Community mobilized to provide help to Haiti. Adding to the international action, the establishment of a public-private collaboration from Mexico called “Mexico Alliance for Haiti” started in November 2010. The initiative aimed to develop construction projects of basic infrastructure. The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs is its initiator.
Under this partnership, a fund of 5.5 million dollars was integrated, which allowed configuring five projects:
- First, the building of a Trade school named Mexico-Haiti-Our Little Brothers to contribute to technical education to over 8 thousand students.
- Second, the project was about a Mexico-Haiti-Messengers of Peace Comprehensive Support center, which will offer education, shelter, and medical services to 500 children and indirectly to 4,000 people in the area.
- The third one is an Educational Center-Orphanage Mexico-Haiti-Mission.
- The fourth is the Mexico-Haiti Petit Boucan Rural Educational Center, which would benefit around 400 children.
- The last one is Mexico-Haiti-fond des blanc Primary Care Clinic which will provide general medical services, dentistry, laboratory, and pharmacy.
2010 Earthquake in Haiti
On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 PM local time, an earthquake with 7.0 magnitude struck Haiti. Approximately 25 Km from Port-au-Prince was the epicenter of the seism.
For instance, near the epicenter of the earthquake, in the city of Léogane, the damage was estimated at 80 to 90%. In addition, in the Port-au-Prince region, surroundings were severely affected. The areas affected included Delmas, Cite Soleil, Kenscoff, and Pétion-Ville.
Indeed, the Haitian government stated that the disaster left more than 316,000 dead or missing, 300,0001 injured, and over 1.3 million homeless (G0H2010).
Moreover, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the disaster was the most destructive event any modern country has experienced in modern times.
Mexico and Haiti relationship
The relationship between Haiti and Mexico goes back to Mexico’s independence. In fact, in 1816, General Francisco Javier Mina Made a trip to Haiti to seek their support for the quest for Mexico’s independence.
On July 11, 1929, Mexico and Haiti established diplomatic relations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Estrada and Haiti Camille Léon formalized the relationship.
Mexico and Haiti cooperate bilaterally in education, military exercises Trade, immigration, and more. For instance, both states of their embassies in their respective countries.
Both Nations are also members States of different organizations such as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Community of Latin American Caribbean States (Celac), and the United Nations (UN).
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