You wouldn't know it from the American media, but today has been a pretty big deal for the relief effort in Haiti.
Foreign Ministers from countries around the world and representatives from major aid organizations gathered today in Montreal to take a serious look at what needs to be done to rebuilt Haiti. This was the first meeting and a much longer conference is being planned for the near future. Hilary Clinton said she expected it to happen within the next month or two.
I'm not saying it's a guarantee to work, but at least it's a start. I've heard talk of a Haiti version of the Marshall Plan and that's exactly what is needed.
Prime Minister Harper of Canada, who I loathe with all my being, said the world is looking at 10 years to rebuild Haiti. From the CBC
"Ten years of hard work, at least, awaits the world in Haiti," Harper told reporters at an international meeting in Montreal to assist Haiti's reconstruction after a massive earthquake on Jan. 12.
"The task ahead of us is great, but our determination to give hope back to our Haitian friends ... is even greater," said Harper.
Hilary Clinton also said the priority has to be in stabalizing the Haitian government,
"There's a tremendous desire to help, but we've got to create the mechanisms so that it can be done effectively, and we've got to get the Haitian government's capacity to lead put together," she said
CNN article
If this is to work the Haitian government needs to be leading the recovery as much as they can. The were protests outside the meetings today from people who believe the world will put corporate and their personal interests before that of the people of Haiti. Part of me expect they are right. How to strike a balance will be the difficult part.
I have hope.