One year after being hit by one of the most terrible natural disasters in recent times which affected more than one million people, political instability in Haiti now prevents EU humanitarian aid to reach the people in need and makes the reconstruction process slower and more complex. This concerns were expressed by the European Commission in taking stock of the situation in the country twelve months after the earthquake.

In a Joint Statement on the situation in Haiti, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian aid, Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, urged the authorities of Haiti to ensure the conditions for free and transparent elections. They also called on people of Haiti to remain calm and to participate to the second round of elections peacefully.

Over the last twelve months, the European Union got fully mobilised to provide both humanitarian assistance and development aid to rebuild the country. In the aftermath of the disaster, the EU immediately released 3 million euro for humanitarian and emergency needs that were gradually increased to reach 120 million at the end of 2010.

Hurricane Tomas, cholera epidemics and political instability still hitting Haiti

Twelve months later, EU humanitarian support is still very active today in Haiti, and is at the forefront to assist Haiti in fighting cholera epidemic, through healthcare, construction of safe latrines, distribution of clean water, and training to hygienic practices.

Haiti's situation which was already very difficult before the earthquake became immensely challenging in the earthquake aftermath and even more complicated later due to the hurricane Tomas, the cholera epidemics, and the political instability. These situations have forced aid workers and technical experts to work quite often in extremely difficult conditions.

Nonetheless, although the situation is far from being satisfying, and has even worsened in some areas, this does not mean that EU's efforts have been weak, or that the money and expertise have gone in vain. Without EU steadfast support, the country could have totally collapsed and the situation would be much worse.