PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - The Organisation of American States (OAS) has intensified its support to Haiti following the visit of a technical mission to the French speaking nation.

During the two day visit, OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin and his delegation held meetings with President Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, the Foreign Minister, Pierre-Richard Casimir, and the Ministers of Trade, Tourism, Agriculture, Social Affairs, Justice and Public Security.

In the course of the meetings the OAS and government ministers examined the range of projects being carried out by the OAS in Haiti and proposed mechanisms for increasing the impact and effectiveness to benefit the people of Haiti.

The OAS delegation also proposed new projects to assist the government in the areas of trade, investment, security, social affairs and development. Senior government ministers are expected to travel to Washington, DC in early 2013 to meet with international partners on President Martelly’s vision and strategic plan for investment in Haiti.

Ramdin also met with the Secretary of State for Persons with Disabilities and addressed the government and people of Haiti during a major governmental forum on the reintegration into society of persons with disabilities. Approximately ten per cent of Haiti’s population lives with disabilities following the earthquake of 2010.

The OAS and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have partnered with the Government of Haiti to ensure the right to equal opportunity for disabled persons in employment, education and other areas.

“We believe in a comprehensive approach to development in Haiti. In this regard, we hope that the government will work with all stakeholders to ensure that stability continues. To this end, we are looking forward to the holding of partial senate elections which are overdue” he said