Today we join Haitians and their partners around the world in honoring the thousands of lives lost and forever altered by the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
We remember, with awe and gratitude, the extraordinary efforts of Haitians during relief, recovery, and rebuilding. We remember how in the most difficult of circumstances, Haitians put all differences aside and worked together to help rescue their fellow citizens and reclaim their country from destruction.
Those efforts, together with the work of the international community, resulted in one of history’s most significant humanitarian responses: heroic rescue efforts; thousands of surgeries and medical interventions; and the largest emergency urban food distribution ever, feeding more than 4 million people. As a longstanding partner and friend of Haiti, the United States through USAID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Coast Guard, the USNS COMFORT, FEMA, and other agencies worked tirelessly alongside Haitians to save lives and start the process of rebuilding.
As we reflect on the past, the United States remains committed to a safe, secure, and prosperous Haiti. May the lessons learned from this day serve as inspiration to all to renew efforts to contribute to a better future for the Haitian people.
