Dominican Government Official Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Haiti

On Monday, official from the Dominican government delivered humanitarian aid to the Republic of Haiti to be distributed among those affected by the recent hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike. On express orders from Dominican President Leonel Fernández, a high-level commission of Dominican officials was dispatched to the neighboring country of Haiti to coordinate the delivery of help which is in excess of 15 million pesos in medicine, food and medical assistance, according to the Presidential Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

…the health equipment and supplies given to the Haitian government included five mobile health units, several drinking water plants and fumigation equipment to be used by the government in an effort to avoid the outbreak of disease.

Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gómez, who led the delegation, handed over the donations in a ceremony at the headquarters of the Dominican embassy in Haiti. Dr. Rojas Gómez was received by Haiti´s Health Minister Alex Larsen and Fritz Cineas, Haiti´s ambassador to the DR.

Dr. Rojas Gómez said the health equipment and supplies given to the Haitian government included five mobile health units, several drinking water plants and fumigation equipment to be used by the government in an effort to avoid the outbreak of disease.

He added that several ambulances and a team of medics and paramedics comprised of 67 people and 27 Haitian medical students studying in the DR will be operating in Haiti for as long as necessary.

In the meantime, Emigdio Sosa, Director of the President´s Social Plan, said the government also donated 150 pounds of dry and canned foods to cover the needs of more than 150,000 people.

The Essential Medicine Program, in the person of its Director, Dr. Elena Fernández de Núñez, donated several containers full of medicine and disposable materials.

Haiti´s Ambassador in the DR. José Serrulle and the Dominican Consul in Haiti, Carlos Castillo, referred to the aid as a humanitarian gesture from the government of President Fernández to mitigate the effects of the recent hurricanes on the Haitian people.

The Haitian president said the gesture of the Dominican people and that of President Fernández is much more appreciated especially taking into account that the Dominican Republic also suffered from the effects of floods and strong winds as a result of the tropical storms.

Later, the high-level Dominican delegation was received in the Haitian Presidential Palace by President René Preval. That afternoon a formal donation was made in the Duty Free Park of Haiti to the representatives of the Ministry of Interior who promised to make good use of the aid.

The Dominican mission that traveled to Haiti also included the Secretary of State, Rafael Pérez Modesto and Dominican Red Cross representative Gustavo Lara.

Haitian President Thankful for the Help

Haitian President René Preval hailed President Leonel Fernández´s initiative of sending humanitarian aid to his country as a brotherly effort to help alleviate the devastating effects of Gustav, Hanna and Ike.

The Haitian president said the gesture of the Dominican people and that of President Fernández is much more appreciated especially taking into account that the Dominican Republic also suffered from the effects of floods and strong winds as a result of the tropical storms.

Preval said the aid will significantly contribute to change the perception held by some among his citizenry about the Dominican authorities.

In sending a message of appreciation to President Fernández, Haitian leader René Preval said the generous action will also contribute to the strengthening of fraternity and brotherhood between the people of the two nations.

President Preval spoke these words at the reception of high level Dominican government officials who traveled to Haiti to deliver the humanitarian aid of medicines, food and medical assistance.