While the
Unites States first reaction was to send soldiers to
Haiti following the January 12th earthquake, Cuba and
other nations belonging to
the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas have
given priority to humanitarian aid.
Truth is
that even before the earthquake stroke, Cuban doctors
and teachers were already in Haiti. Therefore, the
Haitian people may count on Cuba’s modest contribution
for as long as it may take.
When signing
the book of condolences opened at the site of the
Haitian embassy in Havana, Cuban President Raul Castro
said we have and will continue to stand next to the
Haitian people for as long as it may take, even if for
years.
On the 72
hours that followed the earthquake which killed over
200,000 people the Cuban doctors were the first ones,
and almost the only ones, to offer assistance on site.
In the wake
of the tragedy, the Cuban Medical Emergency Relief
Brigade Henry Reeve was landing in Port au Prince. They
were 60 more doctors loaded not with guns but with
medicine, serum, blood and food supplies.
The Cuban
team included epidemiologists whose job would be to
prevent epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis, tetanus,
and other such diseases which normally occurred after
natural catastrophes destroy sanitation infrastructure.
As we speak,
Cuban teachers are getting ready to continue with the Yo
si Puedo/ Yes I can literacy campaign, now in tents.
This program has already taught more than 8,000 Haitians
to read and write.
Cuba along
with other nations belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance
for the Americas like Venezuela have helped set up new
communities where the victims of the quake are
guaranteed, hygiene, food, health services and education.
Aiding Haiti
has become a priority for Cuba, a country that for the
past 50 years has championed solidarity. Cubans have
been anywhere they were needed, bringing hope to peoples
struck by tragedy.
There is
still chaos in Haiti, not enough water or food, and
there is still garbage and rubble on the streets, but as
Raul Castro said, the Haitian people would be able to
count on Cubans for as long as it may take.
