Haiti's recent history, and with it, the fate of its people, has been marked by political instability. The government structures no longer function properly, and as a result, the public health and education systems, among others, have almost completely collapsed. On the United Nations' Human Development Index, Haiti ranks 149 out of 182 countries and is thereby the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

In the past five years, Haiti has been hit several times by severe floods and hurricanes. In 2008, the Gonaives region in the western part of the country was devastated during the hurricane season, leaving 10,000 people homeless. Weeks after the storms, there was still a massive need for food aid. This coincided with a global rise in food prices, dealing yet another blow to the fragile economic recovery which was just beginning in Haiti.

In April 2009, more than 30 donor countries and international aid organizations took part in a donor conference for Haiti sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank. High-ranking politicians delivered an urgent call for financial support. The global economic crisis had hit Haiti particularly hard, making international intervention a necessity.

The conference participants promised 324 million USD (244 million euros) over a period of two years. According to estimates from the International Crisis Group, some 3 billion USD were needed in order to stabilise the country.

The extent of the destruction resulting from the January 12, 2010 earthquake, and the high number of casualties expected, will make a longer-term commitment in Haiti necessary.