Harper arrives in Haiti
Written by on February 15th, 2010 in Latest News.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Haiti on Monday to take stock of the earthquake hurt and try to determine Canada’s role in the Caribbean country’s long-term recovery.
Harper landed in Port-au-Prince on the afternoon aboard a giant Boeing C-17 cargo plane, becoming the first G20 leader to visit the country since the earthquake.
The plane, which can land on small runways, carried relief supplies, including water filters, medical supplies and aid equipment. It was loaded Sunday night while the prime minister was returning to Ottawa from the Olympics in Vancouver.
Harper is scheduled to visit Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean’s ancestral hometown, Jacmel, which was hurt by last month’s earthquake. He’ll then head to Léogâne, a key hub of Canadian relief activity.
The prime minister is also to meet with Haitian President René Préval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.
Harper will spend only one night in Haiti, sleeping on board the Canadian navy ship HMCS Athabaskan because of a lack of accommodation in Haiti’s devastated capital.
Athabaskan is anchored off the coast, serving as a base for Canadian troops taking part in the relief effort.
