Haiti hails Iranian aid

HAITI: Haitian President Rene Preval has expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its humanitarian aid to the earthquake-hit people of the country.The Haitian Chief Executive made the remark in a Saturday meeting to receive the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Port-au-Prince, IRNA reported.

Preval thanked the Iranian Government and nation for their medical and food aid over the devastating January 2010 quake, which killed 316,000 people and left the Haitian Capital in ruins.

The calamity in the country also made more than two million people homeless. Iran dispatched about 30 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, tents, and medicine to Haiti a few days after the 7.3 Richter scale earthquake.

The Islamic Republic also sent a group of 30 doctors and rescuers to the tremor-stricken country.

Preval further called for strengthening ties between Iran and Haiti, particularly trade and transfer of technology.

The President also noted that Haiti welcomes Iranian businessmen and investors in its industrial and construction projects. He also expressed hope that he would pay a visit to Iran in the future.

Yet to recover from the quake, Haiti is now suffering from a cholera epidemic, which has claimed the lives of at least 4,000 people since it first appeared in the country about three months ago.

-Press TV