The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) and the City of Montreal stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti, who are currently experiencing extremely difficult moments as a result of Hurricane Matthew.
FCM President Clark Somerville, Mayor of Sherbrooke and UMQ President Bernard Sévigny and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre issued the following joint statement:
"Our thoughts go out in particular to our partners in the communes of Port-au-Prince, Gressier, Léogâne, Petit-Goâve and Grand-Gôave, who are working tirelessly on the front lines despite having limited means to do so. Our thoughts are also with Haiti's associations of elected officials, the FENAMH, FENACAH and FENASEC, who will be called on to help their members rebuild the country in the wake of this natural disaster, as will the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MICT).
Through the Haiti-Canada Municipal Cooperation Program, funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, we will continue to support them in this difficult time as we have since 2011."
Haiti Emergency Fund
FCM and its staff in Haiti are already helping our municipal partners deal with the challenges of rebuilding. With FCM's support, each of the four municipalities is compiling a more complete report of damage and aid priorities.
Municipalities throughout Canada are invited to contribute to the Haiti Emergency Fund. The Fund will help rebuild culverts, bridges and public markets; strengthen protective dikes; clean out surface runoff canals; and replace roofing on public and community buildings.
Please send your donation by cheque payable to FCM - Haiti Fund directly to FCM at 24 Clarence Street, Ottawa, K1N 5P3. Municipalities that make a donation will receive a detailed report on how the funds were used.
Thank you in advance for your generous help for our municipal partners and friends in Haiti.