Dear
Jon,
The harrowing images and stories coming out of Haiti are
devastating to watch. The incredible outpouring of concern, aid and assistance coming
from the United States and all over the world offers hope, but for many of us the
question lingers: “What else can I do?”
One way we can help Haitians
build a better tomorrow is to convince global creditors to cancel Haiti’s $890 million
international debt. Doing so will help make sure that every possible future
dollar goes towards rebuilding a stronger Haiti, not to servicing old debts.
Thankfully, the United States has already forgiven Haiti’s
past debts and now only gives assistance in the form of grants. We need Haiti’s other
creditors—the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Inter-American Development
Bank, and countries like Taiwan and Venezuela—to follow our lead and do the
same.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has the power to help
make that happen. Please click the link below to
join me and send Secretary Geithner this urgent message:
http://www.one.org/us/actnow/drophaitiandebt/o.pl?id=1398-3700484-MF.8Knx&t=2
As Haiti rebuilds from this disaster, please work to secure
the immediate cancellation of Haiti’s $890 million debt and ensure that any emergency
earthquake assistance is provided in the forms of grants, not debt-incurring loans.
Even before the earthquake hit, Haiti—the poorest country
in the Western Hemisphere—faced tremendous challenges. But there was also hope.
Recent years have brought a more stable government and tenuous gains in the fight
against poverty.
Haiti needs an international effort to make sure that, as
it begins the long road to recovery, it is not burdened with unpayable debts. We must also be vigilant that any new aid from the IMF
and other sources doesn’t come in the form of loans that would create new debt for
Haiti.
It all starts by calling on Secretary Geithner to use his
influence to persuade international lending institutions and countries to do the
right thing and drop Haiti’s debt.
Take action now:
http://www.one.org/us/actnow/drophaitiandebt/o.pl?id=1398-3700484-MF.8Knx&t=3
Thank you,
Sheila Nix
U.S. Executive Director, ONE
