Across the World: Haiti

France offers $443m aid

Visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday announced an aid package worth $443 million to help Haiti recover from the Jan 12 earthquake. The aid includes $54 million in budget support for Haiti's government, cancellation of $76 million of debt, $136 million of fresh funds to be provided over two years and $88 million to be channeled through the European Union. It also includes the supply of 1,000 tents and 16,000 tarpaulins to help shelter 200,000 people during Haiti's rainy season, which typically begins in late March or April.