Wednesday, Edita Hrda, Executive Director for America of the European Service for External Action (EEAS), who represented the European Union on the eve of the investiture ceremony of the President of the Republic of Haiti Jovenel Moïse, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20030-haiti-inauguration-jovenel-moise-58th-president-of-haiti.html , has been received by the new Head of State.

At the end of her meeting Mrs Hrda declared "As a friend and partner of Haiti, the European Union is ready to strengthen its relationship with the new administration in order to accompany Haiti in its economic, social and environmental redeployment." Mrs Hrda conveyed a letter of congratulations to President Moïse , signed by Presidents Donald Tusk (European Council) and Jean-Claude Juncker (European Commission), as well as an invitation to host a State visit to the European institutions "This letter and invitation also demonstrate the European Union's commitment to relations with the entire Caribbean region [...] We also talked about the political priorities of President Jovenel Moïse in order to put Haiti back on the right track. The European Union has always supported Haiti and will continue this support. We are willing to strengthen our relationship with the new administration to accompany Haiti in its economic, social and environmental redeployment."

Finally, the Executive Director also provided details on the additional 35 million Euro post-Matthew aid the European Union announced the day before. This new aid envelope for revovery amounting €35 million for one hand the humanitarian needs and also to development.

Humanitarian aid : €16 million

Humanitarian aid of €16 million will be devoted to strengthening emergency initiatives in education, shelter, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene of affected families. This assistance will also help ensure access to school for their children, ensure access to decent housing, provide appropriate support to the most vulnerable and prevent the spread of diseases among the most affected communities.

Development aid : €19 million

Following the damage caused by the passage of Matthew, the fall in local food production has led to an increase in food prices in local markets. An additional € 4 million will be invested to strengthen the production capacity of small-scale agricultural producers in the South Department, in order to ensure better availability of locally produced foods, reduce costs and improve sources of income of the poorest households.

HL/ HaitiLibre