Gov.-Gen. tells Haitians they 'are not alone'

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean on Monday called the destruction in the town where she was born “unbelievable,” but expressed optimism that the Haitian people can rebuild their quake-shattered country.

“We are here today to tell you that Haitians are not alone,” Jean told reporters at a news conference with Haitian President Rene Preval.

The Governor-General’s remarks came as she kicked off a two-day trip to Haiti to offer her support for Haitians and the Canadians assisting in the relief effort.

After being greeted at the airport by Preval, Jean travelled by helicopter to the National Palace, where she met with the Haitian president and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

“It’s as if the city has been bombarded. the magnitude of destruction is unbelievable,” said Jean, adding that she was anxious and impatient ahead of the trip.

“The images that we received in Canada with the disaster were just unbearable, but already what I see is people really trying to overcome that incredible ordeal. I was amazed to see how many people were on the streets.”

The Governor-General said Canada is ready to support the reconstruction plan developed by the Haitian government.

“There was a plan, there was a national strategy ready for sustainable development and to fight poverty in Haiti. and I believe that already, even though the circumstances have changed and the situation is more difficult than it was a year ago, something is there,” she said.

“I believe it is feasible (to rebuild). It takes vision. Haiti’s not alone. We’ve heard Canada say it and we’ve heard the international community say it, and we will support that plan.”

The Jan. 12 quake left more than 200,000 people dead and more than a million homeless. Although there have been small signs of progress in the almost two months since the disaster, many of the capital’s residents continue to take refuge in makeshift tent cities.

The Canadian government has allocated $555 million over five years in aid for Haiti, making it the second largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid, after Afghanistan.

Since the quake, the government has pledged also to match at least $128 million in individual donations to an earthquake relief fund.

Jean was born in Port-au-Prince, but her family fled to Canada to escape the brutal regime of “Papa Doc” Duvalier when she was 11.

All the living members of Jean’s immediate family in Haiti survived the quake, but the godmother of her daughter Marie-Eden died in the disaster.

On Monday, Jean once again walked the streets of her native country — this time surrounded by plainclothes RCMP officers and television cameras.

There were echoes of her childhood as she visited the Cathedrale Episcopale, the church where she was baptized. After leaving a wreath amid the crumbled ruins, the Governor General took a chunk of the church with her as a keepsake.

To commemorate International Women’s Day, Jean addressed a women’s rally at the ministry of the status of women and women’s rights.

“Women of Haiti, the entire world knows that you are the pillars of your society,” said Jean, alternating between English, French and Creole.

“It is women who have to find the food and water, while caring for the children and the survivors . . . and it is the women who are the most subject to violence, including sexual violence. we must demand that women’s dignity be respected.”

Dressed in olive and khaki military-style fatigues, Jean then danced on stage with some of the women at the rally. in the crowd, a number of women wore T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan, “Many women fell, but we will persevere. Haiti will not perish.”

Jean later travelled to the town of Leogane, where she thanked Canadian troops who have been assisting with the relief efforts. the military has begun to draw down its operations in the country, and is expected to have all its troops withdrawn by mid-April.

“You’ve demonstrated not just your courage, but your strength of spirit,” said Jean. You’re a source of pride to the country you represent.”

To cap the day, Jean briefly toured a camp for homeless people in Leogane, making her the first Canadian dignitary to visit such a camp in Haiti since the quake.

On Tuesday, Jean heads to Jacmel, the seaside town where her mother was born, and where the Governor General spent much of her childhood.

Jean was accompanied by her husband, Jean Daniel Lafond. her daughter, who was adopted from Jacmel, did not make the trip.

Gov.-Gen. tells Haitians they 'are not alone'

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