Caricom Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government Tillman Thomas has pledged the Caribbean Community’s continued to support of the rebuilding of Haiti and the revival of its economy one year after a disastrous earthquake struck the island nation.
In a press release, Thomas, who is also Prime Minister of Grenada, said January 12, 2010 will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the people of the Region. “In remembering those who lost their lives, their families, their parents, their friends and those who suffered injuries, we will also remember those who risked their lives and spent sleepless days and nights in rescuing survivors from the rubble of the disaster,” he said.
Thomas also noted that it is these first responders who helped the Haitian people to rise above the trauma of the disaster and forge for themselves a future filled with hope. He said it has been the role and thrust of Caricom member states since that fateful day, to provide the fulfilment of that hope, saying the will and determination of the Haitian people to overcome the tragedy has served to spur on the rest of the Community in its drive to ensure the island’s reconstruction.
In the light of this, he said, Haitians can rest assured that the Caribbean Community will continue to demand from the international community that they honour the financial pledges made in various fora to rebuild the country. For Caricom’s part, the integration of Haiti into the Caricom Single Market and Economy is a key element of the rebuilding process, offering as it does a ready duty-free market for Haiti’s products. There is already an agreement for these products to enter the Caricom Single market in a non-reciprocal basis for three years, to help resuscitate the Haitian economy. Thomas gave further assurances that the Caribbean will not waver in its support to Haiti and will stand by that island’s side as it rebuilds and takes its place in a “viable, prosperous, secure and sustainable Caribbean Community.”
