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PADF AND OAS TO AID FLOOD VICTIMS IN HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2004 – The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) have mobilized over $135,000 in emergency relief monies for disaster areas in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where heavy rains and flooding have caused more than 1,010 deaths and destroyed several communities along the two countries’ border leaving over 9,500 individuals homeless or in shelters. Citigroup/Citibank has been instrumental in these relief efforts and is providing shelter packages through PADF. ChevronTexaco has also donated to the effort. Additionally, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Haiti has contributed $5,000, and along with AmCham in the Dominican Republic, has put out a call to its corporate members to provide immediate assistance through PADF.

In coordination with the Haitian and Dominican governments, PADF is providing immediate supplies of shelter, emergency supplies, and other basic necessities through its offices in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Emergency shelter packages will be sent over the weekend. After immediate needs are met, PADF hopes to obtain additional resources to help rebuild communities and roads destroyed in the flooding.

“This is a tragic event and comes at a difficult time for both countries. The OAS will do whatever it can to assist current efforts and support the generation of additional resources to the region,” said César Gaviria, Secretary General of the OAS. Lula Rodriguez, Director of Corporate Affairs, Citigroup Latin America stated, “Our employees in Haiti and Dominican Republic want to offer critical and immediate support for families who are displaced and have lost loved ones in the flooding, and PADF is our partner in this effort.”

“We send our deepest sympathy to the victims of this devastating event and join PADF in responding quickly to their basic needs,” said Dale Walsh, Vice-President of ChevronTexaco Global Marketing, Latin America. “[We] join in PADF’s efforts to provide much needed assistance and bring relief to the hundreds of flood victims,” said Nadine Gaston, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti.

PADF is involved with the emergency committees in each country—the National Civil Protection Department (DPC) in Haiti and the Asociación Dominicana de Mitigación de Desastres (ADMD) in the Dominican Republic and is also collaborating with local OAS and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) missions to mobilize financial and in-kind support for the victims.

The OAS, with its 35 member countries, srengthens cooperation and advances the region’s common interests through policy dialogue. The OAS is the region’s premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action. PADF is a private, non-profit organization established in 1962 through a partnership between the Organization of American States and the private sector to promote and implement development and disaster relief programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

With funding from USAID and additional support from corporate and individual donors, PADF is implementing a program on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic focused on strengthening local NGOs and improving the quality of life for border communities and residents.

Donations to provide relief to flood victims in Haiti and the Dominican Republic can be directed to the PADF Disaster Relief Fund Haiti/DR, PADF, OAS Building, 1889 F St. NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20006, or by contacting Allison Erdle at 202-458-3969. For more information on PADF and donating to relief efforts, please visit www.padf.org.

Reference: 040528