Dominican Republic to help the UN in disaster relief

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic agreed to help the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP) in relief operations during disasters, the Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Foreign Minister Carlos Morales and UNDP representative in the country Valerie Julliand signed the agreement, via which the Dominican Government will contribute to the quick delivery of international humanitarian assistance to populations affected by disasters.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the agreement provides special treatment for the import, export and transit of relief consignments such as food, medicine, clothing, water, as well as for the necessary equipment for the assistance effort.

Julliand hailed "Dominican Republic‘s spirit of cooperation" and said the country "knows the humanitarian role nations must play, as exemplarily evidenced three years ago during the earthquake in Haiti."

Morales reaffirmed Dominican government’s "constant readiness to help and serve, either within the island, the Caribbean or Central America."