HAITI: Japan may increase its assistance to Haiti but would need to justify the expenses to the Japanese people

Record ID: 465429

  • Title: HAITI: Japan may increase its assistance to Haiti but would need to justify the expenses to the Japanese people
  • Date: 21st March 2010
  • Summary: CONDUCTOR AND SOLDIERS PLAYING TRUMPETS
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Haiti
  • Country: Haiti
  • Topics: International Relations,Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAE9J8K728T7L9KJC4H5C3LPKO1
  • Story Text: Japanese foreign minister Katsuya Okada visited Haiti on Saturday (March 20) to encourage Japanese troops present in the country and assess the situation before discussing it at the international donors' conference scheduled in New York on March 31.
    It was Okada's first visit to Haiti since the January 12 earthquake destroyed up to 255,000 homes, killed more than 217,000 and made up to one million people homeless according to Haitian President Rene Preval said.
    Okada started his visit by visiting troops from Japan's Central Readiness Force and encouraging the second contingent of troops to pursue the mission started by the first contingent.
    Ahead of the rainy season, their mission will be essential, Okada said.
    The troops have been deployed in Haiti after the earthquake with the mission to clear rubbles and help with engineering works.
    Okada then met with Haitian President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.
    Bellerive said Japanese expertise on earthquakes would benefit Haiti.
    ''With the help of Japanese technicians we will meet in the future, we will try to see what can be build especially for early warnings, prevention, information to the people, and of course as far as buildings are concerned the new technologies and methodologies that will increase the safety of new buildings,'' Bellerive said.
    Okada said he wanted to see the situation by himself before discussing it at a G8 foreign ministers meeting and at the international donors' conference scheduled in New York on March 31.
    Okada said Japan may send more aid if it can justify it to the people of Japan.
    "Japan has already announced 70 million U.S. Dollars for assistance and the Japanese government will study the possibility of providing additional aid,'' Okada said. ''This aid comes from the income taxes and taxes of the Japanese people so the aid need to be understand by the Japanese people and the japanese government will be able to explain to the Japanese people.'' Okada also underlined the importance of building rain-resistant shelters and fight diseases.
    During his visit, Okada also met with Edmond Mulet, the head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
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