Global General

9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-25 10:45
Large Medium Small

CARACAS: Foreign ministers of nine member nations of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) met here on Sunday to discuss how to help rebuild Haiti, which was battered by a 7.3-magnitude quake on January 12, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced.

9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti
Haitians wait to receive handouts in Cite Soleil January 24, 2010. [Agencies] 

Special coverage:
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti Haiti Earthquake Special Coverage
Related readings:
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti Commentary: Haiti's rebuilding needs sustained support
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti 70 Filipinos from Haiti to be repatriated to Manila
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti Thai elephants collect money for Haiti
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti A look at Chinese peacekeepers' daily mission in Haiti
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti UN official praises China's assistance to Haiti
9 Latin American countries meet on rebuilding Haiti Remaining Chinese nationals in Haiti to return home soon

In his nationwide televised Sunday TV/Radio Program "Hello, President," Chavez said the meeting will work out a mid- and long-term strategic plan to rebuild Haiti, including the rebuilding of hospitals, waterworks as well as projects to boost farm, food and fishing production.

According to the Haitian Interior Ministry, the death toll had surpassed 110,000 in the devastating quake, which had also injured some 200,000 people and left more than 600,000.  Haitian officials estimated that the final death toll could reach 200,000.

For the time being, ALBA's work in Haiti is centered on medical assistance, but its focus will shift to other sectors like education later, Chavez said, stressing that "we have to build schools for the new generations, so that they will not lose their roots."

Chavez said Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa will travel to Haiti next week on behalf of ALBA to discuss how to carry out the plans with Haitian authorities.

Also during the "Hello, President" program, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said he believed "the plan will help rebuild an independent and sovereign Haiti."

The ALBA is made up of Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Honduras, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nicaragua and Venezuela.