Update on OAS Efforts in Support of Haiti

At the request of the Foreign Minister of Haiti, Madame Marie Michelle Rey, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin, following internal consultations, agreed to the use of the building of the OAS Country Office to become the temporary headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Haiti. The OAS is pleased to be able to provide this support that will help to facilitate the reestablishment of governance and provide a critical central point for internal government coordination.

Communication and Coordination

• Secretary General Insulza and Assistant Secretary General Ramdin have convened a meeting of heads of inter-American institutions (PAHO, IDB, IICA, PADF and Inter-American Defense Board) for Wednesday, January 20, to discuss a medium and long-term cooperation strategy that goes beyond the immediate response. The OAS currently has a daily briefing and information sharing session with representatives of these agencies to reinforce systematic coordination of relief efforts by the inter-American community. 

• Government and international agencies have turned to the OAS as a central clearing house for reliable information. The Situation Room is operating around the clock in the OAS Main Building to provide up to the minute information on developments in Haiti and efforts of country teams on the ground. Country updates should be sent directly to situationroom@oas.org in order to facilitate information exchange.

• The OAS is convening a second meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti on Tuesday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. to mobilize additional financial and logistical assistance and receive updates from the individual countries on the ongoing relief efforts. The Friends of Haiti is a long-standing support group that has provided assistance to Haiti during periods of crisis.

• A public service announcement by the OAS Assistant Secretary General encouraging aid for Haiti has been distributed throughout the Caribbean.

• The OAS has successfully reestablished contact with the OAS Office in Haiti and has dispatched a satellite telephone system to its representative on the ground in Haiti to improve communications with OAS senior officials in Washington and with relief efforts inside the country.

• At this time, the OAS has received reliable information that 42 OAS staff members and contract employees in Haiti are safe. Efforts are ongoing to reach all staff members in Haiti.

Leveraging Support

• OAS countries have thus far contributed an estimated US$170 million dollars of humanitarian relief in Haiti. The countries continue to make significant contributions by way of medical supplies, food, water, transportation equipment and other essentials.

• The Leo Rowe Fund and the OAS Staff Association have agreed to contribute $15,000 in matching funds that will supplement funds raised by staff to respond to the needs of OAS staff in Haiti.

• The OAS has established a Haiti Relief Fund for individuals who would wish to make contributions. Members of the public can access this account online at www.panamericanrelief.org.

• The PADF is using its distribution channel to send today a truckload of food and supplies to Haiti from Dominican Republic. Beginning next week, PADF will ship, on a staggered basis, between 40 and 50 containers of fortified rice, equivalent to 275,000 food servings. PADF has preparing over 12,000 anti-diarrhea medicine boxes to be placed at the disposal of the Pan American Health Organization.

• Countries that are members of the Inter-American Defense Board have been requested to provide security for storage facilities, transportation and distribution of goods, and providing security for relief workers.

INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM

• The IDB has established 14 distribution points in Port-au-Prince. The bank has also agreed to provide 30 satellite mobile phones to the President, Prime Minister and government ministers.

• The Inter-American Institute for Agriculture has advised the OAS that their office in Haiti is intact and is being offered for relief assistance.

• Six additional members of PAHO/WHO arrived in Haiti on Friday, January 15th, and have integrated into PAHO/WHO country team which has been operating in Haiti since Tuesday.  Two logistical officers will arrive on Saturday, January 16th with equipment to re-establish telecommunications at the office. PAHO is establishing a logistics operation base along the border of Jimani, Dominican Republic.

OAS SUPPORT AND RESPONSE TO HAITI (as of 01/16/10)
(most recent updates in red)