$750 million pledged to assist Haiti

$750 million pledged to assist Haiti Seeking to prop up the government of Haiti as a wave of violence has hit the country less than three months after President Rene Preval has been in office, more than 50 international organizations and nations have pledged $750 million in aid to help the country gain stability.
   Haiti had put out an appeal for $500 million in aid for the coming year and a total of $7.1 billion over five years, and the money pledged this week far surpasses that requests, according to reports in the Miami Herald and several foreign newspapers.
   Haiti is seeking the aid to complete eight priority projects, ranging from road construction to improving security and bolstering the education and health systems. The funding is needed both to promote security and stability and create jobs.
   Among those pledging aid to Haiti were Inter-American Development Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the Organization of American States and the 15-nation Caribbean Community.