A bipartisan commission composed of members of Congress from Florida Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican) and Frederica Wilson (Democrat) is in Haiti this Saturday to discuss relief efforts after the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

In Jérémie, one of the most affected cities, legislators will receive information from the Embassy of the United States and the United Nations Mission on the emergency work and the responses to deal with cholera. They will also observe the distribution of food and health services. In addition, they will have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Enex Jean-Charles, discussions will focus on key sectors in the country, before the next presidential elections.

"I am very grateful to have Federica part of this bipartisan committee in Haiti to obtain in situ information on our efforts to help this Nation. With 1.5 million people in humanitarian assistance needs, including about 175,000 in temporary shelters and 806,000 with immediate food needs, the Hurricane Matthew has had devastating consequences for the people of Haiti," declared Ros-Lehtinen.

Stressing "[...] the United States will remain engaged in humanitarian assistance, but it is crucial that our assistance reaches those who are most affected, those with desperate needs for food, water, shelter and sanitation. I look forward to meeting with U.S. and UN officials, as well as relief workers, to examine the distribution of essential humanitarian services."

For her part Frederica Wilson stated "This trip to Haiti is very important to me for different reasons. I represent members of one of the nation’s largest Haitian-American communities. Many of my constituents still have deep ties to Haiti and are desperate for accurate accounts of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew [...]"

For Wilson, it is also very important to "witnessing and assessing the damage firsthand is the best way to determine the different types and levels of support Haiti will need to rebuild [...]"

Congress participants will return to Miami on Sunday.

HL/ HaitiLibre