CARICOM to offer technical support to Haiti

~~Adz:Right~~ ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Coming out of the most recent meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Bureau, held in Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua, the organization has decided to send a technical mission to Haiti to make damage and poverty assessments and provide technical support to the country.

According to the Antigua Sun, Prime Minister of Antigua-Barbuda Baldwin Spencer, Bahamas’ PM Hubert Ingraham and PM Dean Barrow of Belize, along with CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Edwin Carrington met for the November 22-23 meeting.

Although the finer details of the mission have not yet been finalized, it was noted that the CARICOM Bureau Heads assessed the country’s crisis and placed emphasis on immediate intervention for the hurricane-ravaged country.

The report also indicates that upon its return the technical mission is expected to provide practical recommendations in proposing the best response to the situation in Haiti. The report would address renovation and reconstruction of a number of schools and clinics with provisions to offer additional assistance in areas of security and healthcare.

Haiti is in its third year of an IMF programme to qualify for about US $900 million, but it was noted that the recent slate of hurricanes may be a hindrance in allowing the country to successfully qualify.  

Haiti has already been receiving financial and technical aid from a number of CARICOM member states, along with neighbouring and international countries, to assist in returning the country to stability.