President Obama said Thursday there remained “a lot more work to do” in a “slow and difficult” recovery from the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti four years ago.
{mosads}At a meeting at the White House with Haitian President Michel Martelly, Obama said his message was “that the American people are committed to standing with you in this process.”
“We want to make sure that all the children of Haiti are able to lead lives of opportunity, prosperity and security,” Obama said.
In 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the country, killing tens of thousands and toppling an estimated quarter-million homes.
Obama said security was improving, schools were reopening, and infrastructure was being repaired in the country. He also stressed the “extraordinarily strong” bond between the U.S. and Haiti.
“Our two countries really brought about the trend to independence in the Western Hemisphere,” he said.
Martelly said the nations stood together “for security in Haiti and in the region, and the fight against narco-trafficking.”