February 10, 2010
This week in Quito, Ecuador, heads of state from South American nations are meeting to discuss and coordinate Haitian relief efforts. Yesterday, the leaders endorsed a proposal to create a $100 Million fund, supplemented with another $200 Million from the Inter-American Development Bank.
The current Head of UNASUR, Rafael Correa, stressed that south-south cooperation would be vital over the long term:
“The massive and immediate aid provided by more industrialized countries is not always the most efficient,” said Correa. “A lot of that is lost over the medium term, leaving the country weak and with serious distortions.”
Members of UNASUR also agreed to slash tariffs on Haitian imports.
Haitian President Rene Reval, who attended the meeting, said that he was “extremely satisfied”, according to Bloomberg News. However Al Jazeera reports that Preval “looked worried” about covering short term needs such as food, medicine and shelter. According to Al Jazeera, Preval said:
“I’m nervous. I have to go back to my country and I cannot talk about a long term plan. My people still do not have enough tents and it’s raining. What aid can you give me now?”
