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Haiti

STATEMENT BY IDB PRESIDENT LUIS ALBERTO MORENO FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

Bank president expresses solidarity with the Haitian people

The Inter-American Development Bank today issued this statement by its president, Luis Alberto Moreno, after a major earthquake hit Haiti.

"The IDB will immediately approve a $200,000 grant for emergency assistance," President Moreno said. "IDB emergency grants can be used to provide food, potable water, medicines and temporary shelter to victims of natural disasters.

"We are monitoring these events very closely and stand ready to help Haiti address this catastrophe. In coordination with the Haitian government, we will redirect our uncommitted portfolio to provide additional reconstruction resources at this moment of dire need. We are working with other donors to exchange information and coordinate response activities. The IDB and its staff express their solidarity with the people of Haiti."

The 7.0-magnitude quake, one of the largest recorded in the region, shook the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, damaging numerous buildings, according to early news reports.

Press Contact
Pablo Bachelet
pbachelet@iadb.org
(202) 623-1328