> Dear friends,
>
| > Despite the earthquake, Haiti owes crushing debt payments to foreign lenders for "dictator debt" run up years ago. That money should be going to rescue and rebuild -- sign the petition to cancel Haiti's debt and Avaaz will deliver it to the IMF: > >  |
>
> After the 2004 tsunami, debt payments from countries like Sri Lanka were suspended to ensure that funds flowed to urgent priorities like food, water, and medicine. Haiti's crisis is no different -- it shouldn't be forced to send money out when it desperately needs resources flowing in.
>
> At a moment like this, global financial institutions won't be able to ignore a worldwide outcry. Help lift a massive burden from Haiti's ability to rescue, recover, and rebuild -- let's raise a million voices for emergency debt relief for Haiti:
>
> http://www.avaaz.org/en/haiti_drop_the_debt
>
> Even before the earthquake, Haiti was one of the world's poorest countries -- due, in part, to a legacy of unjust debt stretching back to France's demand for reparations after its 1804 revolution.
>
> In recent years, the tremendous worldwide campaign for debt relief has shown the power of public pressure to support poor nations. But today, Haiti is scheduled to pay $10 million in 2010 to the IMF and Inter-American Development Bank -- and still more millions to specific lender countries.
>
> Recovering from the earthquake will take years, even decades. As the headlines fade, donations will slow--but the burden of paying debts incurred by unelected governments will continue, unless we take this moment to make a change.
>
> If we take action, we can achieve a permanent victory: the cancellation of Haiti's debt. Haitians are urgently appealing for all of our help. Our donations make a difference--and Avaaz members have given generously, donating more than $500,000 in the last day alone. But our voices as citizens are needed as well. Join the call for debt relief, and pass this message to those who feel the same:
>
> http://www.avaaz.org/en/haiti_drop_the_debt
>
> As we watch the images on our televisions and computers, it's hard not to be overwhelmed. But if moments like this can trigger our consciences and move us to act in solidarity with those most affected, they can help us to move to a better world -- one where we move as one to address the man-made poverty and inequality that has left our brothers and sisters in Haiti so vulnerable to natural crises. There is not enough that we can do. But let's all do everything we can.
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> With hope in the face of tragedy,
>
> Ben, Iain, Ricken, Alice, Sam, Milena, Paula, and the whole Avaaz team
>
> PS: To donate to support Haiti, click here:
> https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_haiti
>
>
> SOURCES
>
> Jubilee (debt campaigning group) information page on Haiti's debt:
> http://www.jubileeusa.org/jubilee-act/haiti-debt-cancellation-resolution/resources-on-haitis-debt.html
>
> "Cancel Haiti's Debt" - Foreign Policy blog
> http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/13/cancel_haitis_debt
>
> "Haiti: the land where children eat mud" - history of Haiti's debt from The Sunday Times, 17 May 2009
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6281614.ece
>
>
> ----
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>
>
> ABOUT AVAAZ Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in Ottawa, London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Buenos Aires, and Geneva. Click here to learn more about our largest campaigns. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Myspace and Bebo pages! You can also follow Avaaz on Twitter!
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