Canada Lends a Hand in Rebuilding Haitian Education

Rebuilding Haitian Education

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the launch of the Canada-Haiti Scholarships Initiative which will help Haitian students resume their studies in the aftermath of the earthquake that occurred in January 2010.

“Canada has played a leadership role in contributing to an effective and coordinated response to the earthquake,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Today’s initiative will help promote education in Haiti, contributing to the country’s long-term development and prosperity.”

The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, had a profound effect on Haiti’s education system, academic institutions, students, faculty and administration. As part of Canada’s response to this natural disaster, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has established the Canada-Haiti Scholarships Initiative to meet the immediate needs of Haiti’s postsecondary students, faculty and institutions, as well as help revitalize Haiti’s education system. The initiative will also improve academic, social and cultural ties between the two countries.

Canada is committed to supporting Haiti and its reconstruction efforts over the long-term. In this regard, Haiti has been identified as a priority country for CIDA with the commitment of some $555 million in aid.