Haiti's debt should be forgiven

As reported in your newspaper, hunger, thirst, lack of shelter and health care must be our primary concerns in Haiti. Already, nations have mobilized resources to help in the rescue.

Another effective and concrete way the global community can help is debt cancellation. Though much of the country's debt was canceled in 2009, Haiti still owes $1 billion. During the next five years, without taking on any new debt, the country will have to pay more than $100 million to the IMF and the Inter-American Development Bank. This is precious money that could - and should - be used to help to rebuild the country.

I welcome the news that the International Monetary Fund has committed to debt cancellation and urge them to act fast. The Inter-American Development Bank is considering canceling and should do so immediately. Across the world, debt cancellation has allowed countries to direct money to education and health care. The last thing Haiti needs is to spend the little money it has paying past debts instead of on reconstruction.

Paulette Finnegan

Woodridge