To mark the fourth anniversary of the January 12, 2010, Christian Paradis, Canadian Minister for International Development announced Sunday a new initiative to help Haitian families to relocate to permanent and safe housing. This new announcement is for $20 million in development assistance to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

"As we commemorate this day, let us remember all those who lost their lives or loved ones in this tragedy. Helping Haiti recover and rebuild back is the best way to show solidarity with the people of this country and to honour the victims of the disaster," said Minister Paradis. "This new initiative will help thousands of Haitian families resettle into new homes, and greatly improve their quality of life."

Canada continues to deliver on ongoing commitments while it reviews its long-term engagement strategy with Haiti in order to ensure more concrete and sustainable results for the Haitian people and accountability for Canadian taxpayers.

This commitment builds on the successful Champ de Mars resettlement project, also funded by Canada, through which close to 5,600 families (or some 20,000 people) were resettled who were living in internally displaced persons camps, which were once located in a public park adjacent to the Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince.

HL/ HaitiLibre