Commemoration of the January 12, 2010 Earthquake: The State Gathers at the National Palace
By Jean Wesley Pierre · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Sixteen years after the deadly earthquake of January 12, 2010, for the official ceremony, transitional authorities had to forgo the highly symbolic site of Saint-Christophe, in Titanyen, due to persistent insecurity. The wreath-laying ceremony took place at the National Palace, another location marked by the catastrophe, in a context blending the duty of remembrance and security tensions.
The Haitian state marked, this Monday, January 12, 2026, the 16th anniversary of the January 12, 2010 earthquake through an official ceremony of remembrance organized at the National Palace. Initially associated with the memory of the earthquake victims, the site of Saint-Christophe, in Titanyen [where many bodies had been buried after the cataclysm, editor's note] could not host the commemoration due to the deterioration of the security situation in the area, currently under the control of armed groups.
Destroyed during the 2010 catastrophe, the National Palace emerged as an alternative site rich in symbols. The ceremony, presided over by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), brought together the CPT president, Laurent Saint-Cyr, members of the Council, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, as well as several high-ranking state officials.
In a solemn atmosphere, the authorities observed a moment of remembrance before proceeding to lay a wreath of flowers in memory of the deceased.
This symbolic gesture recalled the magnitude of the tragedy that struck Haiti, causing massive human losses and the destruction of numerous public infrastructures, including the very seat of executive power.
However, the ceremony took place in a particularly tense security climate. As the tribute continued, several explosions attributed to kamikaze drones were heard near the National Palace, causing concern in the area. At the time of writing, no official information had been communicated regarding potential damage or victims. Despite these incidents, the authorities maintained the solemn character of the commemoration. In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of the duty of remembrance and the need to strengthen national unity in the face of current challenges, particularly regarding security and institutional stability. Transitional officials also highlighted the resilience of the Haitian people, calling for the transformation of the memory of January 12, 2010 into a driving force for reconstruction, collective responsibility, and national refoundation. Held in a particularly fragile context, this commemoration illustrated the contrast between the imperative of remembrance and the country's security realities. Sixteen years after the earthquake, Haiti continues to advance on a path fraught with challenges, while striving to preserve the memory of the victims and build the foundations for sustainable reconstruction. The editorial team
However, the ceremony took place in a particularly tense security climate. As the tribute continued, several explosions attributed to kamikaze drones were heard near the National Palace, causing concern in the area. At the time of writing, no official information had been communicated regarding potential damage or victims. Despite these incidents, the authorities maintained the solemn character of the commemoration. In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of the duty of remembrance and the need to strengthen national unity in the face of current challenges, particularly regarding security and institutional stability. Transitional officials also highlighted the resilience of the Haitian people, calling for the transformation of the memory of January 12, 2010 into a driving force for reconstruction, collective responsibility, and national refoundation. Held in a particularly fragile context, this commemoration illustrated the contrast between the imperative of remembrance and the country's security realities. Sixteen years after the earthquake, Haiti continues to advance on a path fraught with challenges, while striving to preserve the memory of the victims and build the foundations for sustainable reconstruction. The editorial team
