FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oxfam America urges the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to pass Haiti Empowerment Bill
May 25, 2010Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America said:
“This is a critical moment for the people of Haiti. Four months after the earthquake, at least 1.2 million people are in temporary shelters and their situation is precarious. With the rainy season underway and the hurricane season beginning next week, they desperately need the support outlined in this bill.
“Besides the continued delivery of water, shelter materials, and sanitation services, the most urgent priorities right now are to build a streamlined and effective Interim Commission that will work with the UN, aid agencies, and donors to plan for recovery and reconstruction; and to support the Haitian government in finalizing a resettlement strategy in order to allow people to make informed decisions for their future.
“Oxfam applauds the SFRC for taking up this important bill and its support for a Haitian-led response. The agency encourages the committee to support and pass this legislation to help get the reconstruction process moving.”
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