CARACAS, January 26 (Itar-Tass) – The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) politico-economic bloc, at a special meeting in the Venezuelan capital on Monday, adopted a plan aimed at giving aid to Haiti in the elimination of the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and in the restoration of that Caribbean country.

In urgent aid to the medical sector, the ALBA member-countries — Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and the Caribbean island countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Commonwealth of Dominica — assigned $20 million.

A decision was taken to set up an ALBA special fund for Haiti with an initial capital of $100 million. ALBA medium- and long-term plans envision participation in the reconstruction of that Caribbean country, the development of agrarian, industrial and other sectors of the economy, as well as the systems of health care and education.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also announced the elimination of Haiti’s debt for the supply of oil and oil products. “Haiti has no debt to Venezuela (any longer). On the contrary, it is Venezuela that is historically indebted to that nation,” Chavez told a meeting of the ALBA Political Council.

Chavez said Venezuela would fully meet Haiti’s requirements for fuel that would be distributed free of charge among the population that needs it. Fuel will be also supplied to thermal power stations and medical motor transport, the Venezuelan President pointed out.