FIFTY TONNES of humanitarian supplies provided by the Government are to arrive in the Dominican Republic today en route to Haiti.
The aid, which will be distributed by Concern and Trócaire, includes plastic sheeting and tents for shelter, water containers and sanitation equipment, Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power said yesterday.
It is the second consignment sent by the Government to Haiti and brings the aid supplied by Ireland to more than 130 tonnes.
“To date the Government’s response, both financially and in kind, has exceeded €3 million and I expect to make an additional substantial financial commitment to rebuilding Haiti at the international donors’ conference which is scheduled to take place in New York in March,” Mr Power said.
An Irish Aid technical team sent to Haiti to assess immediate and medium-term needs has reported to the Minister.
“It is clear from the detailed report ... that Haiti will require our support into the medium term at the very least,” Mr Power said. “We are now moving into recovery phase and I am assessing how Ireland can best co-ordinate with the international reconstruction effort, led by the Haitian government and the United Nations.”
The World Food Programme and USAID have chosen Goal to distribute aid in Port-au-Prince.