Government pledges Haiti reconstruction money
Switzerland has made a formal pledge of around SFr90 million ($85 million) at a donors’ conference for Haiti’s reconstruction.
The Caribbean country was hit by a devastating earthquake in January.
The Swiss government will contribute SFr35.6 million through 2012 on top of the SFr55 million collected by charities from private donations, according to a statement by the foreign ministry on Wednesday.
Martin Dahinden, director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), said Switzerland will support long-term reconstruction, which includes the rebuilding of schools and hospitals, as well as ensuring rural development and the security of food supplies.
The SDC has had an office in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, since 2005.
The economics ministry will pay $4 million to the World Bank to help Haiti cancel its debt.
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