Dear Haiti Advocate,

Congratulations!  Thanks to your tireless advocacy over the past several years, the Obama Administration pledged $20 million yesterday to cover Haiti's remaining debt payments to the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank.

In a speech yesterday at the Haiti Donors Conference, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced: "We will provide 20 million to help Haiti's debt service obligations and to free up other resources."

The $20 million pledge should cover all of Haiti's remaining debt payments for 2009.  Before the end of this year, Haiti is expected to achieve permanent cancellation of most of its debts by reaching "completion point" in the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program.  

This victory would not have been possible without your activism and advocacy for Haiti.  Literally thousands of you have called, written, and met with your members of Congress, filled paper hearts and plates with messages for policymakers, organized and attended public education events, and given money to support Jubilee's work.

Thanks and appreciation are also due to Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), who working with Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) and more than 70 other Members of Congress, has been a tireless champion for Haiti in the US Congress. We also highlight the leadership by staff at the US Treasury and State Departments for their work to secure yesterday's historic commitment. Check out our press statement and more background on Haiti.  

As we celebrate and appreciate this victory, a note of caution -- we're not entirely out of the woods yet.   The Obama Administration may require approval from Congress in order to obtain the $20 million needed to cover Haiti's debt payments.  And Haiti has not yet received permanent debt cancellation. The projected date for this has been pushed back more than once and it could happen again.  We'll need your continued support to assure these commitments are met.

Still, yesterday's announcement is a victory for the people of Haiti and demonstrates the power of your solidarity and advocacy.  Thank you!

From all of us at Jubilee,

Neil, Kristin, Mercedes, Hayley, Carly, and Mimi