Canada in Haiti, Part I (video)

Van Ferrier — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:32:58 +0000

Demonstrators condemn US relief and reconstruction plans at Montreal conference

On Monday, January 25, Montreal played host to a major international conference to discuss the continuing relief efforts in Haiti and lay the groundwork for reconstruction. In attendance were Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, foreign ministers from Canada, the US, France, and Brazil, as well as representatives from international banks, relief organizations and the United Nations.

Outside the conference, community organizations and members of the Haitian diaspora in Canada questioned the US military role in the relief efforts. The demonstrators expressed skepticism that the international powers who have coordinated humanitarian efforts will respect Haitian sovereignty and interests during reconstruction.

With contributions from Malcolm Guy.

Edited and produced by Van Ferrier.

Visit www.dominionpaper.ca/video to watch more Dominion video news and videos from around the web related to coverage in the Dominion.

Serge Buchereau

Haiti: A 7.0 Earthquake Hit the Western Part of Haiti.

WadnerPierre — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:13:58 +0000

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“People cry, and many lives have gone, but Haiti can rebuild.”
by Wadner Pierre

Early this morning, I spoke to some of my friends in Haiti and had a very wonderful conversation with them. A couple of hours later, my friend Guerline, who lives in Montreal, sent me a text message about the earthquake that hit Haiti. My beloved country was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Expects reported on CNN that it was the worst ever recorded in this region of the Caribbean.

I know my country, and I know Carrefour and its surrounding areas. The way that most of houses in Haiti are built is contrary to any safety norm or standard. A major earthquake like this will undoubtedly devastate people’s lives, and make them more vulnerable than ever before. The political instability that has ravaged the country for years will make things worst. What happened in Haiti some fives hours ago is truly catastrophic. Even the President’s office, public buildings received major damages or collapsed.

The President and his wife are safe, but no one knows where they are. The secretary of the President, Fritz Longchamps was in the street when the Earthquake struck. Randomly, Haiti’s Ambassador in the United State, Raymond Joseph, reached him by telephone and told him that he had no contact with the president. Joseph, who served as Haiti’s Ambassador since the de facto government of 2004-2006, is now appealing to the world for help.

The Dominion - Natural Disaster

Canada in Haiti, Part I (video)

Haiti: A 7.0 Earthquake Hit the Western Part of Haiti.