"Today, January 12, 2025, marks the 15th anniversary of a fateful day that forever changed the destiny of our beloved Haiti. This earthquake, which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of our compatriots and left deep scars, is etched in our memories as a symbol of pain, but also of resilience.

Fifteen years later, we continue to live in turmoil, an instability that threatens our collective future. But this sad anniversary must be more than just a moment of remembrance. It must be a call to reflection and action.

Us, Haitians, must understand that no external aid, however well-intentioned, will be able to lift us out of our misery. Us alone, as a people, have the power and the responsibility to forge our own future. The time has come to arm ourselves with courage, to believe in ourselves, and to build a Nation that reflects the dignity and pride of our heritage.

This is a commitment we must make together, a commitment to our children, to our history, and to our brothers and sisters who perished that day. Their memory demands of us change, awakening, and unity of action.

Together, with faith in our abilities, we can transform our pain into strength and our challenges into opportunities. We must do this not only to honor those we have lost, but to ensure a better future for generations to come.

May this day be a time of reflection, but also of renewing our determination to change the course of our history.

Haiti, lè a rive pou nou leve, pran destin nou an men."

A. Reginald Victor-Louis

Consul General

IH/ iciHaiti