Member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed their commitment to the new reconstruction phase in Haiti through culture.

The ALBA's willingness was expressed by Bolivian Ambassador to UNESCO Pablo Groux during a conference held at the UNESCO headquarters, where 15 reconstruction projects needing urgent donors' support were presented.

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2756-haiti-unesco-the-importance-of-culture-as-a-motor-for-reconstruction.html

"Though we cannot anticipate any figure, on behalf of Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Bolivia I would like to express our commitment to this original initiative" declared the Ambassador, who explained that efforts have started at different ALBA bodies, the Bank, the Cultural Fund and the respective governments, in order to handle economic and human resources to join the unprecedented UNESCO effort.

Pablo Groux recalled that ALBA countries gave obvious signs of solidarity in the wake of devastation caused by the quake of January 2010. "Priority then was life, and Cuban doctors, professionals and citizens from Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Bolivia gave medical assistance, supplied hydrocarbons, strengthened the education system and other areas [...] Today, the UNESCO is calling us to save Haiti's soul, culture, to recover its history, preserve its memory, strengthen its tradition and continue fostering that virtue prevailing among Haitians. We will be present in this initiative of culture as driving force, as soul, as force to reconstruct the country's heritage, but above all for Haitian people's strength."

HL/ HaitiLibre