Haiti marks 209 years of Independence – Pres. Martelly vows to press on with rebuilding to country

Haiti today celebrated 209 years of independence. The proclamation by Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared the country independent from France on January 1, 1804, making Haiti the first independent nation in the Caribbean and the first black republic.

President Michel Martelly made a New Year plea for unity, urging Haitians to continue rebuilding their country almost three years after a devastating earthquake.

Declaring 2013 the “year of the environment,” Mr. Martelly revealed that that environmental degradation was a serious challenge in a nation with less than 2 percent forest cover.

“I appeal to on every single able-bodied Haitian to plant a tree for the next 25 years in order to confront natural disasters,” Martelly said.

Haiti, has suffered a series of natural disasters throughout its history, with cyclones, hurricanes, torrential rains, floods and earthquakes battering the country.

“The day has come to join forces to rebuild our country,” Martelly said.

Martelly vowed to continue working to right the many injustices plaguing his country, where nearly a large segment of the population is out of work.