Belizeans send over $300,000 to Haiti

Vinai Thummalapally

The global relief efforts for Haiti have not waned and Belize’s input to that country’s rebuilding is impressive.  So far our local Red Cross Society has contributed three hundred and fifty thousand Belize dollars to Haiti in funds collected up to the end of January.  But funds continue to pour into the Red Cross and it is expected that by mid-February, well over fifty thousand dollars more would be collected.  News five caught up today with the US Ambassador, Vinai Thummalapally, who spoke of his country’s relief efforts towards Haiti, that was devastated by a seven point oh earthquake in January.

Vinai Thummalapally, US Ambassador

“I think the next phase will be to see how in a developmental phase, they would cooperate, work very closely with the government of Haiti and the United Nations. Most importantly, working with the government of Haiti to understand the needs and develop a long term sustainable plan. But it’s been expressed very clearly by the United States government that they will be partnering and playing a very significant role going forward.”

And just in case you were wondering if President Obama will visit Belize during his term of office, well the ambassador said he has proposed the same question and the president’s response is quote “He’ll try”. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.