Clinton presses donors on Haiti

[Forkboy]

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday urged international donors to provide desperately needed money to Haiti as the Western Hemisphere's poorest country struggles to recover from last year's devastating hurricanes and food riots.

Clinton, who is to visit Haiti tomorrow, told a conference of more than 30 donor countries and international organizations that giving Haiti help during a period of global financial turmoil is a "test of resolve and commitment" to those in dire need.

The United States, Clinton said, is providing nearly $290 million in nonemergency aid to Haiti this year.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Haiti is at a critical moment and will either slide backward into deeper poverty and misery or move forward with the help of world donors.

"We have an opportunity to bring . . . a measure of real promise and potential prosperity," Ban told the conference.

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http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/04/15/clinton_presses_donors_on_haiti/