It has been agreed in Montreal that Haiti’s reconstruction will be led by Haitians, with the UN playing a coordinating role.

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The international community will need to provide Haiti with long-term support, on a basis of transparency and accountability.

In the view of development minister Bert Koenders, it is vital for reconstruction to produce a different Haiti. ‘Going back to the status quo is not an option,’ he said. The purpose of the Montreal conference was for the countries most closely involved in the region to look ahead to reconstruction. Mr Koenders commented, ‘We have made a rough draft for reconstruction; a ‘roadmap’ with a detailed action plan will come at a later stage.’ He added that when that time comes, there must be an emphasis on strengthening a socially and economically sustainable government which respects democracy and the law. A donor conference on Haiti will be held in New York at the end of March.

So far, 48% of the emergency aid requested by the UN has been supplied. Logistics and telecommunications are still beset by problems on the ground in Haiti. In some places, normal economic activity is slowly returning. For instance, most petrol stations have fuel and a number of supermarkets and banks have re-opened. The World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed for several million ready-made meals. And with the rainy season approaching, large numbers of family-sized tents are needed.

Following his visit to Haiti, EU development commissioner Karel de Gucht concluded that it is vital that the Haitian government be able to perform its essential tasks again in the short term. He also expressed the hope that, as far as possible, this tragedy would be turned into an opportunity to rebuild the country more effectively.