Haiti: A nation weakened by debt

The horrific earthquake that devastated Haiti last week has had all the more shocking consequences because Haiti's economy and infrastructure were so fragile. Our friends at the Jubilee Debt Campaign sent us these facts and images to remind us why and to encourage us to stand with our Haitian brothers and sisters in rejecting any attempt to turn this human disaster into an opportunity to further enslave the Haitian people to unjust and unservicable debt.

At a time when so many are pouring out their hearts in charity through giving, both lovingly and selflessly, some institutions are seeking only to lend...

Haiti

Haiti, with 76 per cent of its population below the poverty line, has been paying some $60 to $80 million a year in debt service. (June 2009)

The country suffered an aid embargo between 2001 and 2004 as part of an apparent attempt by the U.S. government to destabilize and topple the government.

In July 2009, 60% of its debt was cancelled.

In 2010 Haiti is projected to pay around $10million in debt repayment to International Financial Institutions.

This week, in response to the earthquake, the IMF offered a new loan of $100 million.

Pray with us as we petition God on behalf of Haiti.

Jonathan Langley, 19/01/2010