标签： Haiti

Haiti achieved a significant infrastructure milestone on January 13, 2026, with the formal inauguration of the newly rehabilitated Hinche/Saint-Raphaël segment of National Route 3 (RN3). The ceremony was presided over by Laurent Saint Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council, alongside Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s transportation development.

The €58.14 million infrastructure project represents a substantial international investment in Haiti’s transportation network, financed through collaborative funding from the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD). The comprehensive rehabilitation encompasses 43.27 kilometers of critical roadway with a standardized width of 7 meters, including the strategic Hinche bypass in the Northern Department.

The inauguration ceremony gathered distinguished attendees including multiple international ambassadors—Hélène Roos (European Union), Antoine Michon (France), and Marco Antonio Peñín Toledano (Spain)—alongside Minister of Public Works Raphaël Hosty, National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund Charles Jean Jacques, and local municipal leaders. Representatives from Vorbe & Fils Construction S.A., the executing contractor, were also present to mark the project’s completion.

This enhanced transportation corridor establishes vital connectivity between Haiti’s Central Plateau and Northern regions, fundamentally transforming logistics capabilities for both passenger travel and commercial freight movement. Government officials emphasized that the project demonstrates their committed political strategy positioning road infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic revitalization, enhanced territorial integration, and strengthened national cohesion.

The Haitian government extended profound appreciation to the European Union, AFD, and partner nations, acknowledging their sustained support as strategic allies in Haiti’s development journey. This project stands as a tangible manifestation of international cooperation aimed at fostering sustainable growth and improved mobility across the Caribbean nation.

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.”

Haiti’s highest governmental authorities gathered at the National Palace on Champ de Mars for a poignant memorial ceremony marking the 16th anniversary of the catastrophic January 12, 2010 earthquake. The devastating 7.3 magnitude tremor, which lasted merely 35 seconds, resulted in 222,570 fatalities, 300,572 injuries, and left 1.6 million citizens homeless according to official statistics.

Laurent Saint Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), led the commemorative events alongside Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The ceremony assembled key national figures including government ministers, Vladimir Paraison (Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police), Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces), military high command officials, and senior public administration leaders.

The solemn gathering symbolized the nation’s renewed dedication to strengthening unity, advancing sustainable reconstruction efforts, and enhancing Haiti’s resilience against future challenges. In a gesture of national respect and remembrance, President Saint Cyr laid a ceremonial wreath honoring the earthquake victims.

Addressing the nation, Saint Cyr emphasized the transformative power of collective memory: “On this Day of Remembrance, let’s commit ourselves together never to forget, to better prepare ourselves, to unite around the common good, and to build a safer, more united, and more resilient country. May the memory of the victims illuminate our choices and inspire our collective action.” The transitional leader powerfully declared Haiti’s capacity for renewal, stating the nation “can, must, and will rise again” through responsible collective action.

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the enduring grief while emphasizing hopeful reconstruction: “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 us commit to building a strong Haiti founded on peace, stability, and solidarity.”

The ceremony represented a significant demonstration of governmental solidarity with victims’ families and the broader Haitian population, reinforcing institutional commitments to national recovery and future preparedness.