UNASUR Solidarity with Haiti - Declaration of Quito, February 9, 2010

Press Release No. 50
February 10, 2010

UNASUR Solidarity with Haiti - Declaration of Quito, February 9, 2010

The Heads of State and Government of UNASUR meeting at the Presidential Palace in Quito, on 9 February 2010, in light of the aftermath of the earthquake happened in Haiti on 12 January, by the bonds of solidarity and friendship;

WE EXPRESS our solidarity with the people and Government of Haiti in this time of grief and tragedy, and our deep regret at the death of thousands of Haitian and international officials and countries cooperating with Haiti;

WE REITERATE our commitment in supporting the provision of comprehensive care to the wounded and for the reconstruction of the country, taking into account the needs and priorities expressed by the authorities of Haiti;

WE SUPPORT the efforts of the Government of Haiti so that under his leadership, and coordination with international and regional organizations, it can perform the activities of humanitarian assistance for the Haitian people and promote social, economic and institutional development of Haiti;

WE EXPRESS our gratitude for the work of the Mission of the United Nations Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH).


WE DECIDE:

1. Reiterate our expressions of solidarity with the government of President René Préval and the people of Haiti, as well as condolences for the loss of human lives.

2. To contribute to international cooperation coming to Haiti to respond to the demands, needs and priorities of the country, within the framework of full respect for national sovereignty and the principle of nonintervention in internal affairs. Along the same lines, support the strengthening of state institutions in Haiti, in order to promote effective cooperation, social development and economic growth, greater democracy and maintaining peace and security.

3. Continue with humanitarian aid undertaken by the Member States, in agreement with the Haitian government.

4. Implement a new South-South cooperation, by following the medium and long-term restructuring process, respecting the sovereignty of Haiti, which include the strengthening of state institutions and the development of local capacity.

5. Answer as a priority and immediately to the three axis presented at this meeting by the President of Haiti, René Préval, to the Member States of UNASUR:

• infrastructure and energy: a) road construction, resources for acquisition of equipment, machinery and allocation of engineering personel to contribute to the infrastructure of Haiti, in particular through the construction of roads which will be determined by the Haitian government, b) energy: to regain the power grid and to study the impact, as alternative energy, of the uses of gas in the situation in Haiti;
  
• agriculture: to contribute to the reconstruction of the agriculture sector and food production through the donation of seeds, inputs, fertilizers, and experts allocation. On this theme will be taken into account the so-called models 'Pro-huerta' and the 'Food Security Program'.
  
• health: increasing the actions already implemented by the South American Health Council.

6. To promote joint actions in order to channel humanitarian aid, and boost reconstruction efforts through a plan of action coordinated with representatives of the constitutional government of Haiti. This action plan should include, among others, the following action on a voluntary basis and according to the capacities of each Member State:

        - Create a fund of UNASUR, to finance the equipment by industry sector that will boost actions in three axis expressed by President René Préval in item number 5. In principle, the Fund would be on the amount of 100 million U.S. dollars, from contributions of the countries.

        - Request the IDB a credit of up to 200 million U.S. dollars, in long-term, with the lowest interest rate, which will be assumed by the countries of UNASUR.

        - Send immediately tents, appropriate to current needs, and proceed with the construction of hostels, which meet the urgent need for housing in Haiti.

        - Send a delegation to Haiti of planning bodies of UNASUR, to support, in this context, the actions that the Haitian government requires.

        - Encourage the donation to the Haitian government of the machinery required for the physical reconstruction of Haiti, in a planned way.

        - Explore commitments of Member States to contribute in accordance with their capabilities and voluntarily, for the reconstruction of an area in Haiti.

        - To contribute to the reforestation of Haiti by developing a specific program, involving, among others, universities, research centers, civilian population and other social actors.

        - Encourage the diversification of energy sources used in Haiti to reduce the traditional dependence on wood and increase the use of renewable energy and sources of low impact on the local environment.

        - Collaborate in the reconstruction of government headquarters.

        - To urge the Member States that have not yet done so to apply special procedures to regularize migration in favor of Haitian citizens.

        - Supporting the initiatives of Member States to aid in the education sector by, among others, the reconstruction of education systems at all levels, designation entities for cooperation, establishment of camps, schools resistant to earthquakes and grants for Haitian students.

7. To urge the Member States to eliminate temporarily the import tariffs to South American countries for Haitians exportable products and encourage investment from South American companies in sectors with high potential for use of local labor force.

8. To support the call of the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on External Debt in favor of debt relief for Haiti and welcome the decision of several countries in that line. By the way, we call on all creditors, particularly multilateral organizations, to forgive that debt.

9. To recognize the commitments of the Fourth Special Meeting of South American Ministers of Health, on 27 January 2010. Likewise, note the contents of the resolution on Haiti, adopted by the South American Defense Council, in Manta, on January 28, 2010.

10. To study the establishment of an autonomous office within the South American Defense Council, for risk management to coordinate prevention and mitigation of emergencies caused by disasters.

11. Have a committee of the South American Council of Defense, in coordination with the Council of Delegates, to travel to Haiti to make a study of the conditions, needs and offers of aid, according to the geographical areas of operation, in full agreement with the Haitian authorities to achieve better use of resources contributed by the countries of UNASUR for the tasks assigned.

12. Establish cooperation between the Member States of UNASUR to send by air and sea the contributions made to suit the situation in Haiti as well as taking note of the offer of some member states - Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela - to establish corridors through both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

13. Recognize the importance of the proposal of the Republic of Paraguay, on the creation of a Brigade of South American Solidarity and Cooperation ", and instruct the Council of Delegates to start its study.


The original of this note is available at (Portuguese, and Spanish):
http://www.mre.gov.br/portugues/imprensa/nota_detalhe3.asp?ID_RELEASE=7833