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October 6, 2000

OAS GIVES TOWARDS BELIZE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

To help Belize recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Keith that pounded the Caribbean nation for four days, the Organization of American States today presented a check for $20,000 towards the country's hurricane relief fund. The storm, which hit Belize last Saturday, left an estimated US$200 million in damages to infrastructure and agriculture.

Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi presented this initial donation to Belize Ambassador Lisa Shoman during a brief ceremony at the OAS headquarters in Washington. "This is a moment at which the Organization of American States expresses its genuine solidarity with the people of Belize," he declared.

Einaudi pledged the OAS would mobilize whatever additional aid it can. "We stand ready to use our convening authority and friendship to try to organize any additional support that you may require."

Accepting the contribution, which came from the Organization's Emergency Relief Fund (FONDEM), Ambassador Shoman, expressed deep appreciation for the assistance, noting that while Belizeans are a resilient people, they do need international help at this difficult time. "It is very meaningful to them that in their hour of need others have come to their aid."

The Belize Ambassador reported that preliminary estimates of the severe blow to infrastructure, tourism and agriculture does not yet include damaged homes.

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