Haiti and Haiti News

Country Profile

Haiti officially the Republic of Haiti is a Caribbean country.was the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean and the first black -led Republic in the world when it gained independence as part of a successful Slave Revolution in 1804. 

Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas and one of only two independent nations in the Americas (along with Canada) that designate French  as an Official Language 

In its 200-year history, Haiti has suffered 32 coups

Cite Soleil,Haiti's largest slum in the capital of Port au Prince, has been called "the most dangerous place on Earth" by the United Nations(UN)

Capital                             Port au Prince

Currency                         Gourde

Population                       9.7 Million (2011 Estimate)

Official Language            French

Government 

The Govt. of Haiti is Semi-Presidential Republic wherein the President of Haiti is Head of State elected directly by popular elections.

The Prime Minister acts as head of government and is appointed by the President, chosen from the majority party in the National Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the President and Prime Minister who together constitute the government.

Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Assembly of Haiti.The Parliament of Haiti is Bicameral - Senate of Haiti(Upper House) and Chamber of Deputies of Haiti(Lower House)

 

The Senate consists of 30 seats, with three members from each of the ten administrativ departments.Senators are elected by popular vote to 6 year terms, with one-third elected every two years.

The Chamber of Deputies has 99 members (previously eighty-three) who are elected by popular vote to four-year terms

President of Haiti

Joseph Michel Martelly (56th President of Haiti) is the current President of Haiti in office from May 14,2011.

Presidential Elections - March 20,2011

The results declared stated that Joseph Michel Martelly who secured 67% votes was the winner

 

 defeating Mirlande Manigat who got 32% votes in the 2nd round of Presidential Elections.

Prime Minister of Haiti

 

Dr. Garry Conille(16th PM of Haiti) is the current PM of Haiti in office from Oct 18,2011

2010 Earthquake

 

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated Pprt-au-Prince on Jan 12,2010.(at 16.53 local time).By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks  measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded.

An estimated three million people were affected by the quake;the Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people had died,300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 made homeless.The government of Haiti also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings  had collapsed or were severely damaged.

 Although the exact number was difficult to determine, the highest reliable death count was estimated at 220,000.Haitian government estimates were higher. The Presidential palace, Parliament and many other important structures were destroyed, along with countless homes and businesses, leaving many homeless. The country has yet to recover from the 2010 earthquake (and subsequent incidents) due, largely, to both the severity of the damage Haiti endured in 2010.

 

 

 

Haiti PM Garry Conille Resigns

Gary Conille resigned on Feb 24, 2012 over differenced with President Joseph Michel Martelly over the issue of a parliamentary investigation into government officials who hold dual nationality, which is illegal in Haiti. He supported the measure but was opposed by some ministers and President Joseph Michel Martelly