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OAS Donates 100,000 US Dollars to Earthquake Victims in Haiti

  January 15, 2010

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert R. Ramdin, today handed a check for 100,000 US dollars on the organization’s behalf to the Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Duly Brutus, to aid in providing relief to the victims of the earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, January 12. The ceremony was held in the Office of the Assistant Secretary General at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Assistant Secretary General said the OAS and its Member States are filled with sadness for the victims of the tragedy, and that this first donation of 100,000 US dollars marks the beginning of the financial assistance the OAS hopes to provide, adding that the organization’s goal is to reach one million US dollars “in the coming weeks.”

“Since we heard about the earthquake, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA), the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have been able to meet on a daily basis to join forces and provide direct relief. I think one of the key phrases in the coming weeks will be ‘coordination of efforts,’” Ambassador Ramdin added.

Ambassador Brutus recognized the daily work of the OAS in Haiti and thanked the organization for its donation, which he immediately placed at the disposal of the PADF “because (the PADF) has a very long experience with Haitians and we are certain it will be able to continue helping Haiti, especially with food and water, which is what is most needed at this time.”

PADF Executive Director John Sanbrailo said the OAS contribution “is very important and will be channeled immediately.” The President of the OAS Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the OAS, José Enrique Castillo, renewed the commitment of OAS Member States to “help Haiti in these difficult times.”

To make donations please visit the Web Page: www.PanamericanRelief.org

Reference: E-011/10