Port-au-Prince, Haiti ? Representatives from more than 50 international organizations and nations Tuesday promised $750 million in aid toward Haiti’s efforts to claw its way out of an economic and social pit.

The pledge was $250 million above Haiti’s appeal for an immediate cash input of $500 million during the next year and a total of $7.1 billion over five years to fund eight priority projects, including road construction and enhancements to the security, education and health systems.

“We are happy for the support and commitment,” Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis said at the closing of the daylong International Conference for the Economic and Social Development of Haiti. “This will allow us to erase the burden and errors of past governments.”

President Rene Preval called the promises “an opportunity for Haiti to get back on track on the path to democracy.”

The support comes as Haiti struggles with a wave of violence and kidnappings that threatens to destabilize Preval’s 10-week-old presidency.

Alexis said even though Haiti was going through a “difficult and turbulent moment,” the country’s leaders remain hopeful and welcome support for programs that would allow Haiti to “recover its international sovereignty on the path to development, lasting development.”

Haitian President Rene Preval, right, and Haitian Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, second from right, greet guests during an international donors meeting Tuesday in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Haiti's new government pressed foreign donors for billions of dollars in aid Tuesday, warning the impoverished country could fall back into chaos without immediate and long-term help.

“We are at a new starting point, a turning point where all of our efforts must yield a democratic society,” Alexis said. “A new window of opportunity is opening up before us. We must seize this opportunity. We have a country to build.”

Alexis said the initial funds would be used to develop projects that would help create jobs, raise salaries and improve electricity, potable water supplies and roads. He called security an “unacceptable” problem and, when asked how he planned to combat that issue, said: “There are going to be carrots and sticks.”

Alexis also said that before Haiti can ask for outside help, it must do more at home. He had a strong message for people who evade taxes or contribute to rampant corruption and the smuggling of goods.

“The country considers you all as traitors,” he said. “My government will fight mercilessly against corruption, smuggling and tax evasion.”

International aid just recently began to trickle back into Haiti after years of frozen funds due to political troubles. The European Commission blocked some $90 million in aid five years ago during the government of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was forced out by a revolt in 2004.

Albert Ramdin, assistant secretary-general for the Organization of American States, said Haiti’s economic proposal was a “work in progress” that will be reviewed each year.

“Slowly, step by step, we’ll have to lay the foundation for sustained growth,” he said.