Sixteen years after the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010, the nation united in solemn remembrance of one of the most tragic events in its history. Senior government officials, international partners, and institutions across the country paid heartfelt tribute to the thousands of lives lost while emphasizing resilience and continued reconstruction efforts.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé led the national commemoration, stating: “The nation bows before the memory of the lives lost and shares the grief of the bereaved families. Mourning remains, but so does hope. Together, let’s commit to building a strong Haiti, founded on peace, stability, and solidarity.”
Members of the Presidential Transitional Council echoed this sentiment. Councillor Leslie Voltaire highlighted the “exemplary strength and dignity of the Haitian people” during the disaster, while Council President Fritz Alphonse Jean called for reflection on “building a new Haiti.”
The Haitian National Police honored dozens of officers who perished during rescue operations. Acting Commander-in-Chief André Jonas Vladimir Paraison commended those who “perished while providing assistance to those in need” and called for continued efforts toward “a better Haiti, in peace and security.”
Port-au-Prince City Hall described how the earthquake “remains etched in the heart of Port-au-Prince and in the memory of all the Haitian people,” noting that “in our grief, we learned to stand tall.”
The international community demonstrated sustained solidarity with Haiti. The French Embassy expressed “sincere thoughts of solidarity to the families of the victims,” while the Canadian Embassy commended “the remarkable resilience of the Haitian people.” The European Union reaffirmed its “profound and unwavering solidarity,” and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti paid tribute to both Haitian victims and UN colleagues lost in the disaster.
The State University of Haiti (UEH) called the anniversary “an opportunity to meditate and reflect together on the best paths to take to build a nation,” emphasizing the need to work “with the forces of nature and the specific circumstances of our society.”
From distant diplomatic posts, including the Haitian Embassy in Vietnam, officials joined in commemorating the tragedy that “forever marked national history” while recognizing the “resilience, national and international solidarity, and ongoing commitment to reconstruction.”