Haitians living in Rwanda are planning to have a commemoration week to remember their fallen citizens that died in earthquake now identified as one of the world’s disaster.
Speaking to IGIHE.com Margalie Germain a member of Haiti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) said that they have a meeting to a last meeting to discuss how to have a big organized event to commemorate those who deceased in January 12, 2010 earthquake.
On January 12, 2010 a magnitude of 7.0 earthquakes struck Haiti from an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
About 230,000 people were estimated dead, 2 million were also estimated displaced individuals in Haiti, 1.6 million displaced people have been put in settlements and 3 million populations are estimated affected.
“After the earthquake we thought of doing something to help survivors of the earthquake and also carried out fundraising in different places which was successful as generous Rwandans gave us a hand,” Germain said by cell phone.
“There is a lot we can thank Rwandan government, we are now living and working Rwanda, and some of our students have been given a scholarship in the University among others,” she added.
Germain said that their church St. Etienne in Biryogo will hold a commemoration service in their name on Sunday.
She said that a Haiti-Rwanda Commission was formed to see how Haitians can benefit from Rwanda in areas like culture exchange, leadership, education and good governance.
Germian added that technicians from Haitian government will be coming to learn good governance.
Didi Bertrand Farmer the chairman of Haiti-Rwanda Commission has expressed his gratitude to Rwandan people and Rwandan government for the support extended to Haitian people.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the Government and Rwandese people its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the support provided during difficult moments and for the commitment to walk with Haïti towards better days,” Farmer said.
As Haiti marks the 2 years anniversary of the earthquake, the Haïti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) continues to promote south-south cooperation between the 2 countries with the support of the Rwandan government.
Six Haitian students are currently studying in Rwanda and others are to come soon.
The commission is working in close collaboration with the Rwandese government to strengthen the relations through political and technical missions of Haitian officials in Rwanda.
This week marks the 2nd year anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the Caribbean country Haiti; flattened the capital city Port-au-Prince and its surroundings areas.
In terms of accomplishments, 60% of the displaced people were relocated in their home regions 50% of rubbles removed.
A campaign has been launched to inform the population on new building norms that will prevent the occurrence of another catastrophe.
The process of rebuilding educational structures is also slow, but has nevertheless started with the construction of several primary and secondary schools as well as one university.
Beyond the construction or reconstruction of structures, the building of a stronger national health system is being considered.
The situations that have caused much delay are over 6 months long of political crisis and the outbreak of cholera epidemic that had affected 500,000 families and killed 7,000 by mid-December 2011.
Preceding the 2010 disaster and to date, the Government of Rwanda through the United Nations sent About 500 Policemen to Haiti who are deployed in different regions.
ENDS
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