We Applaud Latin America’s Humanitarian Services To People In Need
Statement:
A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on the morning hours of April 25, causing severe damage and loss of life across the small nation. At least 7,700 people have died and left at least 16,300 wounded or sick.
We gathered from credible sources on the ground also that tremors were felt across the region, with further loss of life in India, Bangladesh and on Mount Everest. In a quick response to deal with the situation, the Nepalese government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas.
Against this background, we, of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) wish to extend our strong solidarity and support to the people of Nepal and Northern India who lost family and friends in the catastrophe. This tragedy has brought immense suffering and devastation and we stand with the Asian communities who have lost loved ones in this terrible disaster.
While we pray and hope for a strong and quick recovery for the people of Nepal, we applaud the Latin American leaders, for taken immediate actions, collectively and individually to aid the Nepal earthquake victims in so many ways and determination.
The announcement that the Cuban government is preparing to send a 48-member medical team to Nepal in the current catastrophe is most welcomed. This solidarity followed only weeks after 256 Cuban doctors returned home from West Africa, where they were first deployed help contain the spread of the Ebola epidemic.
The Foundation applauds also the role of the democratically elected Government of Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro and Vice-President Jorge Arreaza. It is reported the Venezuelan Government of President Nicolas Maduro and Vice-President Jorge Arreaza, on Friday 1st May, 2015 has sent a technical humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Nepal, to determine the country’s humanitarian needs in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of April 25th , 2015. The Venezuelan mission that is currently on the ground is made up of a medical team, two forensic engineers, and three specialists who are charged with the humanitarian responsibility to conduct a 20 day evaluation concerning how the Venezuelan government may best meet the humanitarian needs of Nepal.
It should be recalled that for over five decades Cuba began world wide humanitarian services which started in Chile in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit that country in 1960. Since then Cuba has trained over 135,000 medical staff and deployed to all corners of the globe. Those medics who were deployed recently to help in west Africa's to help contain the Ebola epidemic are part of a 50,000-strong foreign legion of Cuban doctors and healthcare workers spread across 66 countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
"Mission Miracle," a program launched by Commandants Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez (Peace Be Upon Him), which is aimed at providing free eye surgery has benefitted over two and half million people in over 36 countries. Besides, Cuba's undisputable quality medical service have been tested for decades and have helped victims from natural disasters in Algeria, Mexico, Haiti, Armenia, Pakistan, etc. Cuba has also trained several thousands of doctors and nurses from more than 120 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, etc.
Despite the fact that thousands of Cuban health workers sent abroad, the country’s domestic healthcare system has been rated as the best in the world. The Western governments recognized this fact. The United States government for instance, has in recent statements, praised the Cuban healthcare system, particularly the Latin American nation’s contribution in the fight to contain the Ebola crisis in Africa. “We recognize and appreciate their contribution, as we do with other countries but the fact that such a small country is providing so many resources – more than many other countries-, in all sincerity is a significant contribution,” according to State Department spokesperson Marie Harf.
Having stated the above, we, of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) call on other countries to copy the Latin American humanitarian solidarity, to use their technology and wealth to save people’s lives around the world. The Foundation believes military supplies are no substitute to humanitarian aide, currently needed in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe or Latin America. Not even the stockpiling of unwanted military establishments say for instance in Africa can help resolve the humanitarian crises on the continent.
It is the belief of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity that Cuba stands to do more to help globally, including helping to improve the healthcare system in the United States and elsewhere. For instance, Cuba is ever needed to help the post Ebola rehabilitation of the healthcare system in Africa. And we want to prevail again on members of the US Congress to quickly remove all barriers that hinder the immediate and unconditional lifting of the wicked embargo against Cuba. We call also President Obama of the US to rescind his Executive Order against the democratically-elected Government of Venezuela and stop all actions that threatened the existence of the national sovereignty, peace, independence, territorial integrity, democracy, freedom and dignity of the Venezuelan people and Latin America.
Long live Cuba!
Long live Venezuela!
Long live Latin America
Solidarity with Cuba!
Solidarity with Venezuela!
Solidarity with Latin America!
Sender:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
International Executive Director
Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity