For thirty-five seconds on January 12, 2010, time in Haiti was at a sudden standstill. Thirty-five seconds on that late afternoon also suddenly became the defining moment - if ever so short - for countless generations of children in Haiti.
At the start of a new year, Haïti appears to be turning a corner. The country and its 4,316,000 children under 18, begin 2012 with a long-awaited new Government and national budget. New Ministers, including those critical to the survival and development of children, have been appointed, bringing much-needed energy and optimism to the scene. Reconstruction funding is slowly but surely being released by donors. Complementing the progress in the public sector, a positive business forum at the end of 2011 promised an even greater boost for the local economy, with over US$ 8 billion dollars of investment pledged by foreign firms and investors. At first glance, the outlook is positive.
It will be a long road from relief to recovery, but UNICEF will strengthen its commitment to creating a Haiti fit for children.
