UN official assesses relief strategy, points to long-term commitment in Haiti

Today, the US Treasury Department called for the cancellation of all debts owed by Haiti to international institutions. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said the US would work towards "comprehensive multilateral debt relief" for the country, including the $102 million emergency IMF loan approved at the end of January. The move follows international calls for Haiti's debt to be erased in order to pave the way for long-term recovery after the January 12 earthquake. Currently, Haiti's total national debt stands at around $1 billion, according to Jubilee USA.

Meanwhile, relief organizations in Haiti are reassessing their strategies. Food and shelter for thousands of survivors are still of primary concern. The UN's top official in Haiti also called on Haitians to take a central role in the recovery of their country. FSRN's Dolores M Bernal spoke with Edmond Mulet, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti and Special Representative for the Secretary General, about this and other topics in the recovery effort.