Port of Spain (January 13, 2010) – The Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), expresses its solidarity and condolences to the people and government of Haiti affected by the devastating earthquake which occurred yesterday afternoon.

The ACS Secretariat calls upon its Member States and Associate Members, as well as members of the international Community with the capacity do to so, to contribute to the relief effort consistent with the needs as communicated by national authorities.

As more detailed information on the extent of the damage and losses (both human and material) becomes available, the Secretariat reiterates its availability to assist Haiti and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), as appropriate to ACS mandates, and awaits further news from Haitian authorities on the country’s situation and needs as determined by its national experts.