Athens
, 14 January 2010
Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis briefed the news media today on the situation in Haiti following the catastrophic earthquake there. Mr. Kouvelis referred to the efforts being made by the Foreign Ministry with regard to the safety of the Greeks in Haiti and the provision of humanitarian aid.
The effort to gather information – via the Foreign Ministry’s special contact numbers – from Greek families with relatives in Haiti bore fruit, and Mr. Kouvelis informed journalists that we know that of the list of 15 Greeks in Haiti, 14 are safe and sound. The 15th person is on a cruise and it has not been confirmed whether they were in Haiti at the time of the earthquake.
With regard to the provision of aid, the Deputy Foreign Minister said that yesterday – the day of the earthquake – he contacted international organizations (the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme and UNICEF) that have access to the country and can help, and that we have sent economic aid. He added that Greece rejected the option of sending direct aid because the distance of and situation in Haiti would render our contribution pointless, given that the first hours following the disaster are the most critical hours.
Mr. Kouvelis finished by noting that on a second level the Foreign Ministry is coordinating amongst competent agencies for the provision of food aid and medical supplies.
Finally, the Deputy Foreign Minister called on all organizations that want to contribute to contact the Foreign Ministry so that cooperation and coordination can produce optimum results.