January 28, 2010:
Dear British Chamber of Commerce Members:
We’re saddened by the horrible earthquake that occurred in our neighbouring country of Haiti this past Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, but at the same time we’re very proud of the prompt response of the Dominican Government, the Dominican citizens and NGOs who have offered a helping hand to confront this devastating situation.
We applaud the international assistance that has come together to provide the Haitian citizens with food, medicines, a roof and other basic necessities in this difficult circumstances.
But more than anyone, we thank the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for increasing the immediate humanitarian assistance fund in more than 30 million Dollars and for being one of the first countries to arrive with a team of 64 experts in search and rescue this past January 14th.
Our honourable Ambassador Steven M. Fisher leads a team from Great Britain’s Ministry of Foreign Relations who is in Haiti organizing the rescue efforts of British nationals and British consulate officers. This team has been able to rescue more than 60 British citizens and consulate officers who where in Haiti at the time of the earthquake.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukindominicanrepublic/sets/72157623117408043
We wish to report that our Chamber provided assistance to the ITN News reporters who arrived in Haiti on the 13th of January and we also provided logistical and transportation support to the British Embassy, thus responding to all their assistance needs.
Our members assistance has been coordinated with the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral –IDDI- its executive director, Mr. David Luther informs us about what has been done up to today:
Coordination with our counterpart in Haiti, to reach the following goals: Haiti's Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Max Bellerive, named two experts as liaisons with his office. We met with him this past January 21st. An operational base in Port Au Prince with 7 warehouses totalling 5,500 Square Meters under cover and 7,000 m2 of surrounding parking spots with security that serves as the coordination point. An existing network of volunteers, doctors and transportation at PP.
With the IDDI there is: An industrial kitchen 45 minutes away from the border (Neiba) capable of providing around 500 food rations a day. Operation of the Hospital de Paraíso with 22 beds which is already assisting with medical needs.
There is an IDDI team of 10 people in PP (third mission) accompanied by Oxfam. USAID is sending trucks with 40 foot containers to our warehouse in PP. We have a collection centre in Santo Domingo to collect all the different materials and to send them almost daily to Jimaní with our own trucks. Warehouses both at the Dominican side a well as at Port Au Prince. The data is as follows :
At Puerto Au Prínce:
Immeuble GTE
Avenue Hailé Sélassié
Port au Prince
7 warehouses with 5,500 mts.2
At Jimaní:
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal MI
Calle Enriquillo #12
Jimaní
400 mts.2
Any additional assistance you wish to send through this organization, you can contact Mr. Luis Javier at this telephone number (809) 722-4785 and Mrs. Teresa Morrobel at this telephone number (809) 722-4784.
We’re attaching the European Union’s press release with regards to the Haiti catastrophe and the recommendations to follow where they mention the solid job done in terms of humanitarian assistance by the Dominican Republic towards Haiti.
Our friends at the Dominican-Haitian chamber are requesting assistance and thanks to the contributions they have already received they already have many provisions and they are getting together a team of doctors who are going to use a school/seminary they have in Haiti as headquarters but they still need additional support. That’s why they ask for additional funds in the communication attached for those of you who may want to answer this call.
We are the disposal of any member who wishes to make any donation and we’re also ready to assist anyone who may need our logistical support. Please contact us at our offices and we will be glad to assist you.
The Haitiain solution is everyone’s hands. A warm and supportive embrace to them,
Sincerely,
Elsa Turull de Alma
Executive Director
