31 calypsoes for Haiti scores but assistance must be consistent says CARICOM ambassador to the country

Monday, March 1, 2010 – Hundreds of Saint Lucians stood in solidarity and contributed to raising funds for the people of Haiti on Saturday night at “Thirty One Calypso’s for Haiti”, which was held at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 27.

The charity concert was organised by the Saint Lucia Calypso Association of 2009.

Speaking to the GIS at the event, CARICOM’s Ambassador to Haiti, His Excellency Mr Earl Huntley described the Saint Lucian effort as truly humanitarian.

Ambassador Huntley also appealed for continued support for the CARICOM member state over an extended period.

“Every cent we can raise will help the cause and I want to commend the Saint Lucia Calypso Association for the initiative that they have taken and also other groups that have been trying to do things for Haiti,” Huntley said.

“Haiti’s road to recovery will be long and hard and the country will need support all the time. Already the story of Haiti's distress is no longer in the international headlines, having been replaced by other events but we must not forget that Haiti has made a significant contribution to us a long time ago—now it's time to pay back.”

Rebuilding Haiti could cost up to 14 billion United States dollars, according to a recent report issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Ambassador Huntley says the distress of the Haitian people is being compounded by a series of post earthquake events that are not helping the recovery efforts.

“The situation is not good particularly for the homeless who have to deal with the rain but in addition there have been a series of aftershocks which struck when people are just re-entering their homes to find some rest; that is having a physiological effect on the Haitians, it is a very tragic situation but where there is light there is hope.”

Mr Huntley is scheduled to travel back to Haiti today Tuesday 2^nd of March, to resume his ambassadorial duties.

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