Haiti
I have long been an advocate for the people of Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. I have traveled extensively to the country both before and after the January 12th, 2010 earthquake, and know that the Haitian people are a proud and resilient people.
Some of my work includes securing debt relief for Haiti from multilateral financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and advocating for stronger democratic and electoral processes in the country.
I am impressed by the international community's assistance to Haiti in its time of need, and I am hopeful for the country's future. We must remain committed to the long-term recovery of Haiti.
In this section you can read about some my work, as well as watch and listen to television and radio interviews I conducted in the days, weeks, and months following the earthquake.
Watch Congresswoman Waters on MSNBC, discussing her reaction to the disaster in Haiti
Watch Congresswoman Waters on CNN, discussing her reaction to the disaster in Haiti
More on Haiti
Congresswoman Waters’ Statement in Memory of Haitian President René Préval
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee and a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, expressing deep concern about Haiti’s 2015 elections and the impact they will have on Haiti’s future if the Haitian people do not perceive them to be credible. According to the State Department, Secretary Kerry will be visiting Haiti tomorrow.
Waters Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters released a statement today on the fifth anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Following the earthquake, Rep. Waters led the efforts in Congress to ensure the cancellation of Haiti's international debts and support free and fair elections. She also worked with her colleagues to address the cholera epidemic and provide oversight of the earthquake recovery funding.
Congresswoman Waters Urges State Department to Support the Rights of Peaceful Demonstrators in Haiti
Congresswoman Waters Urges State Department to
Support the Rights of Peaceful Demonstrators in Haiti
October 2, 2014
Congresswoman Waters Expresses Concern about Efforts to Illegally Arrest President Aristide in Haiti
Congresswoman Waters Expresses Concern about Efforts to Illegally Arrest President Aristide in Haiti
September 12, 2014
Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor the 210th anniversary of Haiti's independence (H.Res. 474) and presented a copy of the resolution to Haitian President Michel Martelly. President Martelly was in Washington, DC meeting with Members of Congress and President Obama. Haiti declared its independence from France on January 1, 1804, 210 years ago, following a revolt among African slaves against their French colonial masters.
Today, five Members of Congress who have served as leading advocates for development assistance, disaster recovery, and human rights in Haiti—United States Representatives Maxine Waters, Yvette Clarke, John Conyers, Barbara Lee, and Frederica S. Wilson—released the following statement on the fourth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake:
"On the fourth anniversary of the worst natural disaster in recent memory—the Haiti Earthquake of 2010—we pause to honor those affected and salute the strength and resilience of the Haitian people.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, reiterated her support for free, fair, and timely elections in Haiti during a hearing yesterday, in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, entitled "Haiti: Is U.S. Aid Effective?" She addressed her comments to Thomas C. Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator for the U.S. State Department, who was testifying at the hearing.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry today, expressing deep concern about the current political situation in Haiti and requesting that the State Department assist the Haitian government with the holding of elections consistent with the Haitian Constitution. Copies of the letter were sent to Cheryl D. Mills, the State Department's Haiti Envoy, and Thomas C. Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator.
The text of the letter follows:
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Los Angeles Office
Phone: (323) 757-8900
Fax: (323) 757-9506
Washington, DC Office
Phone: (202) 225-2201
Fax: (202) 225-7854