Orlando Haitians: Four Years Later, There's Still More Work To Be Done
Friday, January 10, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

January 9th, 2014 | WMFE - Sunday marks the 4th anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti. Here in Orlando, local officials and the Haitian community are partnering to commemorate the tragedy.

The event in Orlando’s City Hall Thursday night may be called “Remembering Haiti,” but for those in attendance, it’s hard to forget what happened on January 12, 2010.

“I think it sort of brings us back to that particular day with everything that happened…but I think you know, it’s almost like veteran’s Day,” says Marjorie Joseph. 

Joseph's family is still in Haiti. Her aunt died from Cholera after the earthquake—but Joseph says she’s thankful the rest of her family was safe.

Part of the night was spent discussing what’s next for the country that’s still recovering and rebuilding.

Laurent Prosper, the chief of mission at the Haitian Consulate in Orlando, says there’s been some progress, like helping get people off the streets, but there’s still more work to be done.

“We’re not completely satisfied, and that’s why we’re continuing working on looking for jobs and creating jobs for the population and making the country more stable,” Prosper says.

The Remembering Haiti vigil was started in 2011. Organizers of the event say it will be held every year until Haiti gets back on its feet.