"13 years later, the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN) remembers... Unforgettable date in our memory as a people, the Institute still lives with horror, bitterness and desolation the multiple damages inflicted on the built heritage, there 13 years ago. In addition to this material damage, some of us face the multiple physical disabilities caused by this violent earthquake on a daily basis.

As for our overall territorial organization which materializes through historic city centers, thirteen years later, we find it very difficult to identify ourself with this chaotic and desolate vision of the urban landscape of Port-au-Prince, Jacmel , Petit-Goâve, Léogâne etc.. These historic city centers regularly suffer the ravages of time and deteriorate a little more each day. Despite this catastrophic observation, their effective care is slow to materialize for the moment, for lack of means...

Thus, in this year 2023, which is the year of heritage, ISPAN is committed not only to promoting a modern and scientific approach to construction systems in Haiti, but also to promoting a heritage policy targeting the search for adequate resources favoring paraseismic reinforcement, the restoration, restitution and transmission of a built heritage in a good state of conservation to future generations.

The General Directorate of ISPAN renews its deepest sympathies to the Haitian and foreign families who are still mourning the loss of a loved one that occurred during this devastating cataclysm of January 12, 2010."

IH/ iciHaiti