...Cannon, convened a group of foreign ministers in Montreal on Jan. 25 to meet with Haiti’s prime minister, Jean-Max Bellerive, and start the process. Representatives from aid groups, regional bodies and more than a dozen countries with long interest in Haiti agreed to a set of principles and are planning a donors’ conference at the U.N. in New York City in March.

In closing remarks, Cannon said the conference will be “steered by the government of Haiti,” with support of key donors and partners including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the European Union, Spain and France.

Principles embraced include a pledge to follow the Haitian government’s lead, prioritize sectors and responsibilities, and coordinate efforts for at least 10 years. They pledged not only to rebuild Haiti’s ability to support its population but to do it in an environmentally sustainable way.

“Climate resilience, disaster-risk reduction and emergency preparedness will be a cornerstone of our joint approach,” the group’s concluding statement said.

Ambassador Louis Lucke, U.S. special coordinator for relief and reconstruction, said, “We’re planning to see this job through to the end. The U.S. is going to be one of the partners of Haiti on long-term reconstruction, however that comes to be defined.”

But while governments plan, private and non-government relief swells. New reports include activation of the World Economic Forum’s Disaster Relief Network (DRN), which includes participation of companies with logistics expertise, as well as partner and member companies including Amec U.K.; CH2M Hill U.S.A; Fluor Corp. USA; Siemens, Germany; Sweden-based Skanska and others.

Grupo Marhnos, Mexico, is coordinating the DRN’s response in Haiti in partnership with Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd., Alwarpet Chennai, India. Grupo Marhnos President and Chairman Nicolås Mariscal says the group is organizing reconstruction of one or possibly two hospitals in Port-au-Prince, as well as construction of an orphanage and temporary housing for volunteers.