Governor's Florida-Haiti Initiative

Florida is home to the largest Haitian-American community in the United States. The members of this community remain deeply concerned over the instability and socio-economic distress that continues to plague the land of their origin. The Republic of Haiti is a proud country that is journeying through a critical time of transition. The success of this transition will be key to the safety and well-being of the Haitian people for years to come. However, Haiti has a challenging road ahead of it, marked by problems that have been generations in the making. It is at this juncture that Haiti needs the help of its friends. As one of its closest neighbors in the Caribbean, the State of Florida and its large Haitian-American community are perfectly positioned to provide Haiti with the assistance and guidance it desperately needs in order to successfully move through transition to the promise of a stable and more prosperous future.

With these truths as guiding principles and following his own journey to Haiti, Governor Jeb Bush created the "Governor's Haiti Advisory Group" by Executive Order No. 04-145, on July 14, 2004. The Advisory Group consisted of 17 members, all prominent Haitian-Americans or those with significant experience in Haitian issues. Additionally, Florida's eight Haitian-American elected officials were appointed as ex-officio members. The Governor tasked the Advisory Group to identify critical needs for Haiti's successful transition and to assess recommendations for meeting these needs.

On April 11, 2005, the Haiti Advisory Group issued a Final Report with a number of recommendations for how Florida might best be able to support Haiti's successful reconstruction. The Advisory Group's Final Report can be accessed using the link to the left.

As a result of the Haiti Advisory Group's recommendations, the Governor's Office has created an on-going "Florida-Haiti Initiative" to provide assistance to Florida's neighbors in Haiti. This webpage is intended to provide information on this initiative as well as links to related topics.

Related Links:

FAVACA - Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas

U.S. Embassy in Haiti

U.S. Assistance to Haiti Factsheet

USAID - Program for Haiti

Haiti: Image and Tourism Development Project

Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of FL

FAdHiEd - Foundation for the Advancement of Higher Education

Caribbean Community Foundation

Global Giving

Fonkoze - Fondasyon Kole Zepòl