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Roundup: South American nations pledge $300 mln for Haiti reconstruction

2010-02-10 15:09 BJT

Special Report: Strong Quake Hits Haiti |

by Alejandra del Palacio

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) on Tuesday pledged 300 million U.S. dollars in aid for the reconstruction of quake-stricken Haiti.

The decision was made at an extraordinary Unasur summit, which opened Tuesday in Ecuador's capital Quito with an aim to coordinate regional humanitarian aid in Haiti.

The 12 Unasur members agreed to set up a 100-million-dollar fund, and also to request a 200-million-dollar credit for Haiti from the Inter-American Development Bank.

Haitian President Rene Preval, who attended the summit as the guest of honor, said his country was in urgent need of help for resettlement, sanitation, infrastructure reconstruction and restoration of agricultural production.

Unasur Coordinator Emilio Izquierdo said a mid- and long-term strategy will probably be devised for comprehensive reconstruction and job generation in Haiti.

Unasur's relief efforts will be coordinated with the Haitian government and will totally respect the sovereignty of the Caribbean country, he said.

Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, proposed to create a common fund to coordinate the relief efforts in Haiti.

Venezuela recommended Unasur create a food reserve.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said it was also necessary to establish a food production plan to guarantee a right diet for the Haitians.

He said this mechanism would allow a direct distribution of food in the communities.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo suggested creation of a Technical Ministry or "Solidarity Council" with experts from Unasur countries to coordinate aid efforts as well as the future reconstruction work in the Haiti.

During the summit, the representatives of the Unasur members also stressed the importance of the Haitian government in leading its own reconstruction efforts.

Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said that his country "will encourage a bigger commitment of the region and the international community to aid Haiti," but "the Haitians have to be the ones leading and directing the reconstruction of their country."

"We are convinced that the international cooperation must be efficiently coordinated and it must serve the Haitian government and people," Taiana added.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino stressed it was necessary to strengthen the institutions of Haiti.

Patino added that by strengthening the institutions, there would be better planning and the people in Haiti would be better organized.

Unasur groups Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela and Ecuador.

Editor: Li Juanjuan | Source: Xinhua