Cuba Will Stand By Haiti for as Long as It May Take

By Redaction AHORA / redaccion@ahora.cu / Friday, 05 February 2010 11:34

While the Unites States first reaction was to send soldiers to Haiti following the January 12th earthquake, Cuba and other nations belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas have given priority to humanitarian aid.

Truth is that even before the earthquake stroke, Cuban doctors and teachers were already in Haiti. Therefore, the Haitian people may count on Cuba’s modest contribution for as long as it may take.

When signing the book of condolences opened at the site of the Haitian embassy in Havana, Cuban President Raul Castro said we have and will continue to stand next to the Haitian people for as long as it may take, even if for years.

On the 72 hours that followed the earthquake which killed over 200,000 people the Cuban doctors were the first ones, and almost the only ones, to offer assistance on site.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Cuban Medical Emergency Relief Brigade Henry Reeve was landing in Port au Prince. They were 60 more doctors loaded not with guns but with medicine, serum, blood and food supplies.

The Cuban team included epidemiologists whose job would be to prevent epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis, tetanus, and other such diseases which normally occurred after natural catastrophes destroy sanitation infrastructure.

As we speak, Cuban teachers are getting ready to continue with the Yo si Puedo/ Yes I can literacy campaign, now in tents. This program has already taught more than 8,000 Haitians to read and write.

Cuba along with other nations belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas like Venezuela have helped set up new communities where the victims of the quake are guaranteed, hygiene, food, health services and education.

Aiding Haiti has become a priority for Cuba, a country that for the past 50 years has championed solidarity. Cubans have been anywhere they were needed, bringing hope to peoples struck by tragedy.

There is still chaos in Haiti, not enough water or food, and there is still garbage and rubble on the streets, but as Raul Castro said, the Haitian people would be able to count on Cubans for as long as it may take. / RHC

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