US pledges $20 million to Haiti debt relief

Good news for Haiti as the US government pledges $20 million to cover its remaining debt payments to the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank.

In a speech at the Haiti Donors Conference, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged: "We will provide $20 million to help Haiti's debt service obligations and to free up other resources." The $20 million pledge is part of a wider $50 million aid pacakge from the US and should cover its remaining repayments until it completes the ongoing debt cancellation process.

This is a measure of relief for Haiti which suffered catastrophic hurricanes that ravaged the country last year, adding strain to a country already under immense pressure. The pledge is hopefully the start of better times for Haiti; it is expected to achieve permanent cancellation of much of its debts by reaching Completion Point in the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) programme in the next few months.

However, as we celebrate and appreciate this victory, a cautionary note is needed. The Obama Administration may yet require approval from Congress in order to obtain the $50 million aid package which includes the $20 million to cover Haiti's debt payments. Campaigners are still waiting for Haiti to receive permanent debt cancellation through HIPC. The projected date for this has been pushed back more than once and it could happen again. Continued pressure from both the US and the UK to assure these commitments are met is essential.

Still, yesterday's announcement is a victory for the people of Haiti and demonstrates the power of advocacy and sustained campaigning.