As part of the fight against high cost of living and food shortages in Haiti Director General of the Bureau of Monetization of Development Aid Programs (BMPAD), , Michaël Lecorps, announced that a new shipment of 18,000 tons of rice, called "10/10," is being imported from Vietnam, expected to arrive in Haiti between May 27 and 29. "Further deliveries are to follow in the coming months," said Lecorps, pending if the performance and competitiveness of the Haitian rice industry is able to begin meeting the demand.

Lecorps said for there to be a policy of price stabilization for rice, it's necessary to have large quantities, an affordable price and a good product. He said, "We assure the public that the volume will be significant, able to supply the whole supply chain," indicating this rice is of good quality, and requires less water and coal for cooking and has a taste that will be appreciated by Haitian consumers.

The Director of BMPAD said "10/10" is sold cheaper than other competing products as a result of its reduced purchasing prices in Vietnam, as part of an agreement with the Haitian government. He stated that the rice import isn't subsidized, and funds generated from the sale of the pending imports will be recycled to purchase another shipment.

Lecorps also announced that advertisements will be placed and broadcast in the media to promote the quality and price of the rice.

After 210 years of independence, Haiti is still struggling to feed its 10 million people. The country still imports more than 50 percent of its food, including rice, which represents 30 percent of the consumer basket.

On May 14,
President Michel Martelly commemorated his second anniversary as president in a carnival atmosphere. He was accompanied by his wife Sophia, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, members of his government, members of parliament, members of the presidential majority Parliamentarians for stability and progress (PSP), Government Senators, civil servants and special guests.
Tens of thousands of people attended the event celebrating this anniversary. However, according to reports, it was uncertain if the large crowd had come to hear the two-year report of the president or enjoy the carnival atmosphere that continued into the night.

Martelly told the crowd while holding aloft a book containing his accomplishments, "Many of you already know the programs of free education, health, agricultural revival, developments in the tourism sector, and road constructions across the country... Today, I tell you the country is on the right track, a lot of things have started."
He said he opposed the division that characterized Haitian politics, extending an invitation to former Presidents Jean-Bertrand Aristide and Jean-Claude Duvalier to meet with him to discuss national matters.
One of his biggest accomplishments, Martelly pointed out, was a school program that has enrolled more than a million children by paying their tuition.
However, despite the large and enthusiastic crowd, and Martelly's positive representation of his two years in office, he still has many critics.
One senator was reported as saying Martelly's record is only impressive in propaganda and cited the deterioration of relations between the executive and the legislative, and the constant increase in the country's cost of living. Another opponent criticized Martelly for destroying freedoms, including freedom of speech, and a political rival said the fundamental problems of the country are getting worse.
Another report stated there were no independent studies of data and information that Martelly cited in his glowing two-year report.

Recently, Albert Ramdin, the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), speaking at a meeting of the Coordination Framework for Foreign Development Aid (CAED), says that the list of priorities and the development vision presented by the government of Haiti is commendable and will be supported by the OAS as part of its efforts to assist Haiti.

Ambassador Ramdin joined members of the international community including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Canadian Governor General and current UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, Michaëlle Jean, representatives of Brazil, Canada, the United States and others, meeting with the Haiti's President Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and government ministers during the CAED meeting.

Ramdin said, "The OAS is guided by the priorities and needs identified by the Haitian authorities. The framework presented during CAED is essentially a marching order for the international community, since we execute assistance projects under Haitian leadership." He also spoke of the need for constant review and analysis within the international community, to ensure effectiveness and coordination in projects.

This Saturday, May 18 Haitians, including the large Haitian American community in South Florida, will celebrate Haitian Flag Day, a very important event on the Haitian calendar, and marked by events like street parades, cultural presentations, concerts, church services, lectures and exhibitions related to Haiti's history.
Flag Day is held annually on May 18 to celebrate Haiti's independence from France. In 1804, Haiti, which was once a colony of France, was the first Black nation to fight for and attain its independence, and when the nation gained its status as a Republic its red, white and blue flag became a very proud national symbol, so important that Haitians designated a special day, May 18, to honor the Haitian Flag.
In Haiti, Flag Day is a major national holiday celebrated with great fanfare. Before the 2010 earthquake the focal point of the celebration was on the grounds of the national palace in Port-au-Prince.