OAS PRESENTS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS DISASTER VICTIMS IN HAITI
AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
June 1, 2004
Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi today presented a
$50,000 check on behalf of the Organization of American States (OAS), to aid
flood victims in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This assistance is provided
from the OAS’ Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund (FONDEM) for residents of the
border region of both countries, where recent severe flooding left a heavy death
toll and material damage.
The Assistant Secretary General presented the check to John Sanbraillo,
Executive Director of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), through
which the donation is being channeled. Ambassador Einaudi underscored how this
disaster of “biblical proportions” can be turned to advantage: while the loss of
life and property cannot be discounted, he stressed solidarity and cooperation
as vital to efforts to aid the disaster victims.
Thanking Einaudi and the OAS for their confidence in the PADF, Sanbraillo said
the OAS funds will go immediately towards emergency shelter packages, emergency
supplies, including such emergency relief items as food, water, blankets and
tents.
He renewed the appeal to “people of goodwill” to assist, stressing that the PADF
stands ready as a channel through which donations can reach immediately the most
needy disaster victims. Sanbraillo added that his Foundation will continue to
work with Dominicans and Haitians as well as the donor communities.
Expressing appreciation, the Dominican Republic Permanent Representative to the
OAS, Ambassador Leonora Sánchez Barret, lamented the massive loss of life and
property, saying “solidarity is the greatest thing we can give in this world.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Duly Brutus, Haiti’s Interim Representative to the OAS, said the
disaster had struck his country very badly, but assured OAS officials that his
country remains very grateful for their strong support at this most difficult
time.
Reference: E-091/04 |
