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Last Updated: Jan 31, 2012 - 11:40:18 PM |
Irish NGOs and Business People Unite to Create Awareness and Raise Funds for Haiti
Dublin, IRELAND - President Bill Clinton recently announced the launch of ‘Haiti Week’an Irish-led global first in support of Haiti, which was stricken by a massive earthquake in 2010 killing one in forty of the population (over 230,000 people). Haiti Week which is the brainchild of Irish businessmen Leslie Buckley, Michael Carey and Ian Hyland, will take place in Ireland from January 21st - 28th 2012 promoting awareness and raising vital funds for the Caribbean country. It will focus attention on both the challenges and latent potential of the struggling country through showcasing the stories, plans and output of its people through the Haitian arts, music and business communities.
At the launch of Haiti Week, before an audience of 300 people in the Four Seasons Hotel, President Bill Clinton praised the special influence that Ireland and the Irish people are having on the reconstruction of Haiti. He highlighted how Irish Government support allied to the work of Irish NGOs, social and business leaders, all backed by an army of over 1,000 Irish volunteers, has made Ireland one of the leading nations globally in the recovery and development of a country that has twice the population of Ireland but in an area roughly the size of Munster.
Haiti Week will feature a number of designated events throughout Ireland and be supported by a web-site (www.haitiweek.org) and social media campaign that will facilitate people who want to learn about and contribute to the redevelopment of the country. The first ever Haiti Week will culminate with the Haiti Ball, in the the Four Seasons Hotel on January 27th 2012 where the recipient of the inaugural Goodwill for Haiti Award will be announced.
According to Leslie Buckley, “Our first ever Haiti Week will coincide with the second anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake which killed over 230,000 people which is more than the entire population of Cork city and suburbs. We want to highlight all that is amazing about Haiti and point to this proud country’s plans for a better future while also reminding people of the ongoing struggles the Haitian people are facing on a daily basis. There are still 595,000 people living in tents and under tarpaulins; there is a constant fear of cholera which has affected over 400,000 and killed 6,000 people to date; and nearly half a million Haitian children are currently without a school to go to. Despite all these obstacles, I’m extremely proud to be part of an Irish community that is working to support new ideas and sustainable initiatives to help the people of Haiti.”
Also speaking at the breakfast was Denis O’Brien who has been hugely instrumental in the rebuilding of Haiti. O’Brien personally funded the restoration of the Iron Market, Haiti’s major marketplace and centre of commerce in Port-au-Prince. The market was the first building to be rebuilt in the wake of the earthquake. The Digicel Foundation, founded by Denis O’Brien in 2007, supports the education of 20,000 students in primary schools throughout Haiti.
Michael Carey, businessman and founder of Soul of Haiti, added “We have to provide not just a shortterm humanitarian response but also a longer term sustainable economic solution. Haiti is a country of great need but also fantastic opportunity. It is essential that, during Haiti week, we showcase the great business opportunities that exist in this country. We need to change people’s attitudes toward Haiti and to make a compelling investment case.”
More details about Haiti Week will be made public in the near future.
For more information on Haiti week or if your organisation would like to get involved please see www.haitiweek.org.
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
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