CARICOM looks to enhance presence in Haiti

Feb 05, 2010 News

CARICOM is in the process of sorting out how it will enhance its presence in its earthquake-hit member state of Haiti, through a specially appointed group of individuals and various other regional organisations.
Ambassador Colin Granderson, who has responsibility for Foreign and Community Relations and now holding down the fort as head man for the mobilisation of aid for the earthquake-ravaged country, told Kaieteur News yesterday that the special unit will be mobilising technical persons to assist with the long-term reconstruction and rebuilding of Haiti.
Despite rumblings that CARICOM is not doing much to assist its member state, Granderson pointed out that the region has had a presence in the country shortly after disaster struck the country on January 12 last, and has been actively seeking to provide surcease for those affected.
The CARICOM Secretary-General, Edwin Carrington, recently announced the establishment of the unit dedicated to the coordination of the short and medium term involvement of the Community in the development of Haiti.
The mandate was handed down by the Bureau of Heads of Government, which met in Paramaribo, Suriname, last Friday.
Signaling the region’s commitment and engagement towards Haiti following its natural disaster, Carrington stated that the region is cognizant of the financial and economic challenges facing member states, but also of the implications of the short, medium and long-term involvement in the rehabilitation and development of Haiti as indeed of all member states.
Ambassador Granderson noted that Jamaica has been playing an active role in the search and rescue operations from the inception, as well as providing medical assistance to the affected Haitians. Other Caribbean states will, as of today, be sending in additional troops to help with this process, relieving the Jamaicans somewhat and enhancing the Caribbean presence in that country, which has been overridden by foreign bodies and agencies since the earthquake.
Granderson also stressed that the region’s focus over the short and medium term will be providing additional medical assistance to Haiti, adding that financial aid through the various agencies provided for under the CARICOM Secretariat have provided financial assistance to the country.
All Caribbean states have also contributed to the rebuilding of Haiti, both financially and through the provision of other much needed materials.
The Ambassador noted that the newly formed unit will be strategising as to what can be done to help the member state, as it relates to mobilising additional and required resources and aid.
He stated that a number of member states have also indicated their willingness to accommodate school children and those at other levels in their countries. Granderson added that the unit is also looking to have constructed a number of schools to accommodate the displaced children as well.
Caribbean countries, despite their individual financial and economic standing, have made concerted efforts to provide assistance to Haiti in its time of need.
Granderson stated that it is heartening to see the resources pouring in from the private and public sectors as well as private citizens of the Caribbean.
Among those states that have donated monies; Antigua and Barbuda has given EC$100,000, the British Virgin Islands some US$80,000, Grenada US$100,000, Saint Lucia EC$500,000, St. Vincent and the Grenadines US$ 100,000 along with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana both pledging US$1,000,000.
Various other CARICOM countries have offered assistance in the form of clothing, food and military manpower, while the Caribbean Development Bank has also donated US$200,000.

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