CP/DEC. 44 (1740/10) 

SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF HAITI
IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE JANUARY 12 MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE 

(Approved during the session of February 17, 2010) 

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES, 

DEEPLY SADDENED by the severity of the disaster caused by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, which resulted in the tremendous loss of lives and property damage; 

COMMENDING the unprecedented outpouring of hemispheric and international solidarity for the people of Haiti in the wake of this disaster; 

RECOGNIZING the sovereignty of Haiti and the continued leadership of its Government;  

REAFFIRMING the need for continuous and coordinated engagement in the relief and reconstruction efforts under the direction of the Government of Haiti; 

UNDERSCORING the importance of a steady and long-term inflow of financial and technical resources to spur recovery, reconstruction and disaster risk reduction efforts in Haiti; 

RECALLING principles guiding Haiti’s reconstruction and development, underlined at the Summit “United for a Better Future for Haiti”, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on January 18, and at the Ministerial Preparatory Conference on Haiti in Montreal, Canada, on January 25; and 

UNDERSCORING the need to maintain political stability and democratic governance in Haiti in the wake of this disaster; 

DECLARES: 

1.                  Its strong support for the Government and people of Haiti in their relief and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of this disaster. 

2.                  That it is essential to support the efforts of the Haitian authorities to maintain political stability, democracy, good governance and the rule of law, and to strengthen institutions, and promote socio­economic development. 

3.                  That the OAS will support, upon their request, the Haitian authorities in their efforts to promote dialogue with all the sectors in society to address the relevant political, social and economic issues. 

4.                  That the OAS will continue to collaborate and coordinate its efforts and initiatives with its partner inter-American institutions, the United Nations (UN) system, especially the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and other regional and financial organizations in full respect for the sovereignty of Haiti, guided by aid effectiveness objectives and humanitarian principles, as well as lessons learned. 

5.                  Its readiness to take all necessary steps to mobilize resources in support of the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti, particularly in sectors where the OAS has developed an expertise and value added.