Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque says the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CEDEMA) has taken steps to provide assistance to Haiti, following the passage of Tropical Storm Isaac and the widespread damage done to communities, particularly in the agriculture-producing southern region.
In a message to Haiti, the Secretary-General lamented that the recent occurrence would add to that nation’s burden, particularly as the storm struck the southern region and may jeopardise food security, even as it continues to recover from the 2010 earthquake.
According to a Caricom Secretariat press statement, the storm has caused loss of life, and extensive flooding in the south that has resulted in the loss of crops, damage to infrastructure isolating a number of villages and to personal property.
“The Caribbean Community stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti at this trying time and is confident that together we can overcome the challenges posed by this disaster,” LaRocque said. He also noted that CEDEMA, the relevant Community Institution, has been in contact with the authorities in Haiti and is mobilising to provide assistance to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster.
