The Indian Ambassador to Cuba is heading to Dominican Republic to assess firsthand the situation in Haiti which was rocked by a massive earthquake.
Mitra Vasisht, who is also the envoy to Dominican Republic and Haiti, said she was not so far able to get any news about the Indians in Haiti though the 141-strong Indian contingent with the United Nations in the Caribbean nation was safe.
“I would try to go to Haiti, if there is any slightest possibility. I am personally going to Dominican Republic, which is the closest to Haiti where I can personally go,” Ms. Vasisht told PTI over telephone from the Cuban capital Havana.
Stating that India would be announcing its humanitarian relief soon, she said the Indian Embassy in Cuba had not yet been able to contact its Honorary Consul-General in Haiti Marie Andrine.
“We have no news from our honorary consul. We have a very efficient honorary consul in Haiti. Normally, he calls me immediately after any kind of catastrophe like the present one. So I am personally extremely worried about his welfare now,” she said.
“Right now there is total breakdown of infrastructure and communication in Haiti,” Ms. Vasisht said.
Plea for hospital ship
Haiti Ambassador to the U.S. Raymond Joseph has asked the U.S. to send a hospital ship to the Caribbean nation.
“A hospital ship is a must for us now, because some of our hospitals have been affected, collapsed also. So we need that kind of support,” Mr. Joseph said.
