WASHINGTON – In a declaration approved by acclamation today during its regular session, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) reaffirmed its support for the government and people of Haiti following the earthquake that devastated the country on January 12.
The declaration reads that “it is essential to support the efforts of the Haitian authorities to maintain political stability, democracy, good governance and the rule of law, and to strengthen institutions, and promote socioeconomic development.”
Furthermore, it specifies that the OAS “will support, upon their request, the Haitian authorities in their efforts to promote dialogue with all the sectors in society to address the relevant political, social and economic issues.”
The declaration adds that the OAS will continue to collaborate and mobilize whatever resources are needed to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, in collaboration with other regional and financial organizations, always “on the basis of the priorities established by the Haitian Government” and “in full respect for the sovereignty of Haiti.”
The declaration, drafted by all delegations, was formally proposed to the Permanent Council by the Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Duly Brutus, who reiterated his gratefulness to the Member States for the support they have offered since the earthquake. “Haiti is moved by this wave of solidarity,” he said.
The proposal was co-sponsored by Ambassador Virgilio Alcántara, of the Dominican Republic, who highlighted the “immediate and appropriate” response of the OAS and its authorities, who with “speed and effectiveness” headed “the mobilization of the agencies of the inter-American system” and in general “did the right thing in a timely way.”
The representatives of Panama, Dominican Republic, United States of America, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Brazil, Jamaica (on behalf of CARICOM), Chile, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela also took the floor to express their support for the declaration.
