WASHINGTON, DC – Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Assistant Secretary General, arrives in Haiti today, Thrusday, Sept. 11, on a two-day visit, to assess the situation on the ground after the recent deadly hurricanes, and to reaffirm OAS support for the new government.
The visit includes meetings with President René Préval, Prime Minister Michèle Pierre Louis, and Foreign Minister, Alrich Nicholas. Ambassador Ramdin will reiterate OAS support and solidarity, particularly with the hurricane victims.
Ambassador Ramdin, who also chairs the OAS’ Haiti Task Force, will also present the government with a monetary contribution from the organization’s Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund (FONDEM), towards recovery and rebuilding efforts following the massively destructive hurricanes and floods. During his visit, the Assistant Secretary General also will provide members of the Haitian government with an update on efforts being undertaken within the inter-American system to mobilize international disaster relief for the Caribbean nation.
“I look forward to visiting Haiti at this critical moment,” Ramdin stated. “We recognize the great difficulties confronting the Haitian people, and that the new Prime Minister has a number of significant challenges on her hand. Assistant Secretary General Ramdin renewed the OAS’ call on the international community “to respond in Haiti’s moment of need to alleviate the impact of the crisis.”
The Assistant Secretary General said his visit to Haiti also, “of course, underscores the solidarity of the OAS with the government and people of Haiti. It is also an opportunity to learn first-hand how best the inter-American system and the international community can respond.”
Ambassador Ramdin will be accompanied to Haiti by Jean-Ricot Dormeus, an advisor, and will brief the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti, upon his return to headquarters on September 13.
