How can we ensure that the government of Haiti remains a vital part of the planning for reconstruction?
A3: Haiti does have a legitimate working government that is engaged in the reconstruction planning. It will need assistance to carry out the complex projects that will be supported with international funds. Right after the earthquake, the Haitian government formed six committees to manage the details of reconstruction, including committees dedicated to sanitation and engineering. President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive are actively working with the donor community to revise a reconstruction plan and seek sustainable projects in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and energy. In addition, a post-disaster needs assessment is still incomplete, but is essential to determine the timing and priorities for each of the affected regions of the country. Preval has also designated his minister of tourism, Patrick Delatour, as chief of reconstruction. A proposal to create a Haitian Development Authority, led by the government of Haiti, but including international do
