UN envoy appeals to Caribbean Community to help with Haiti's reconstruction

The top United Nations envoy for Haiti has appealed to the Caribbean Heads of State and government to lend a hand in reconstructing post-conflict Haiti and start a new form of cooperation between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the island nation.

Juan Gabriel Valdés told the 16th inter-sessional CARICOM summit yesterday in Paramaribo, Suriname, that security had improved in Haiti and he was optimistic about the development of a national dialogue, even though the speed of disarmament was a continuing difficulty.

In a statement issued as the two-day meeting ended yesterday, CARICOM said it reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of the Haitian people.