April 3, 1948, US President Harry Truman signed into law the Economic Cooperation Act, commonly known as the Marshall Plan. The 2010 Haiti earthquake killed more than 2,200 people, destroyed 130,000 homes and caused about $9 billion in damages. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGE C. MARSHALL FOUNDATION AND

Miami – Suffering its worst crisis since the 2010 earthquake that killed over 2,200 people, destroyed 130,000 homes and caused about $9 billion in damages, Haiti’s political turmoil of gang violence has left citizens trapped in a cycle of despair.

Since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, armed gang members have allegedly been responsible for thousands of deaths, sieged police stations, burned down hospitals, shut down airports and cut off medical, water and food supplies.

With gang members running amok in the capital Port-au-Prince and other cities in the Caribbean nation, Haitians are hoping a transitional nine-member council team and new prime minister U.N. development specialist Garry Conille can quell the violence and bring the island back under government control.

Conille was picked to lead Haiti on May 28, according to the Associated Press.

In April, the council decided on Haitian sports minister Fritz Belizaire as the new prime minister, but the pick caused controversy and the group started the process over again and chose Conille.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Sheila CherfilusMcCormick, the only Democratic Haitian American woman in Congress, has been intently observing the events tearing her home country apart and decided to take action to help stabilize Haiti.

Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) are co-sponsors to reinstate the Louverture Investment Plan.

Cherfilus-McCormick, whose district covers portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties, said it’s undeniable that Haiti has made a significant contribution to the struggle for freedom and democracy in the world.

She said unfortunately, the instability and the current humanitarian crisis have led to devastating famine, violence, and poverty.

"The importance of United States support for Haiti cannot be understated,” said Cherfilus-Mc-Cormick. “As co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, I am proud to introduce a resolution alongside Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and my fellow Haiti Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to call for the establishment of the Louverture Investment Plan."

Cherfilus-McCormick said the plan would also strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Haiti.

"This resolution will not only support the well-deserved reconstruction plan for Haiti but will also encourage a Haitian-led effort to restabilize the country," she added.

Cherfilus-McCormick outlined the plan that would cover a wide-range of issues to restore Haiti including enhanced infrastructure (roads, bridges, water sanitation systems), healthcare, food security, education, social services and a resiliency program for natural disasters.

The plan also calls for restoring Democracy, building Haiti’s security forces, and regional economic cooperation between Haiti, the U.S. and other Caribbean nations.

With Haitian citizens being tormented by gang violence, the 10-year plan brings a bit of good news, but they are also hoping the new prime minister can help bring immediate peace to the Caribbean nation.

But in April, Belizaire was named Haiti’s new prime minister after a contentious vote that angered many who said it wasn’t formal or transparent.

Other candidates who were seeking the prime minister nod was not considered by the council which divided Haiti and seen as another setback as if still recovering from the earthquake wasn’t enough, and the gang violence has prompted thousands of Haitians to flee to Florida with deadly consequences.

The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated vessels loaded with survivors and recovered several bodies that perished in the water.

Michelle Austin, one of the founding members of Miami’s Haitian Foundation for Democracy, an organization which engages in Haiti Diaspora and promotes policies that foster Democracy, said in April the prime minister voting for Belizaire was not consistent with the process the group had agreed on.

They didn’t do a formal vote," Austin said. "The vote says hey, this is our president and prime minister. No other names or individuals were considered for president and prime minister. The vote could’ve been 5-2, or 6-1 but no one would know because they didn’t consider other names that were presented."

With Conille’s selection as the new prime minister, Haiti seems relatively calm for now and Cherfilus-McCormick is ready to put her plan into action to help restore Democracy and rebuild Haiti like the nation she wants it to become.

More economic development and education opportunities, enhanced infrastructure and programs to keep kids out of gangs is her vision for her home country.

Schakowshy said between the political turmoil engulfing Port-au-Prince, a food supply shortage, devastating earthquakes, and soaring violence, Haitians are facing an unprecedented crisis.

"The United States must thoughtfully and meaningfully help its close Caribbean neighbor,” said Schakowsky. “That is why I am introducing a resolution with co-Chairs of the Haiti Caucus, Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Yvette Clarke, calling for the establishment of the Louverture Investment Plan – a 10year, $50 billion development program to rebuild Haiti."

Schakowsky said she has visited Haiti on many occasions and seen firsthand the remarkable resilience the Haitian people have shown in the face of devastation.

She said Haiti will eventually overcome its latest crisis.

"Decades of tragic experience have taught us that all efforts to help Haiti recover must be led by the Haitian people and democratically chosen Haitian leaders," Schakowsky said. With this resolution, we can empower Haiti to develop and implement a peaceful and prosperous plan for its future. We are working very closely with many Haitian American leaders, including some from Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, to pass this resolution.”

Clarke said the plan is a critical blueprint that aids the Caribbean ally with resources and relief.

"It’s not only necessary to ensure the future and safety of Haitian communities, but the viability of a Haitian-led democratic transition. I believe we have a moral duty to secure the progress our Haitian neighbors in America, abroad, and across the diaspora are counting on," Clarke said.

She said Congress has a moral duty to secure the progress of "our" Haitian neighbors in America, abroad and across the diaspora.

"While lives and a nation remain imperiled at this pivotal moment, Congressional inaction is unacceptable," she said.

Mary Estime-Irvin, chairwoman of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), said the rebuilding Haiti plan will allow citizens to experience a bright future for the Caribbean nation.

"This plan ignites a spirit of hope," said Estime-Irvin. “I am excited about this collaboration between Reps. Schakowsky, Cherfilus-McCormick, and Clarke as they champion a $50 billion Marshall Plan for Haiti, located a short flight from our shores, amid its current period of significant political and socio economic turmoil."