The Unasur group of countries will ask the Inter-American Development Bank for a $200 million loan for the fund, and individual governments will raise another $100 million, according to a plan drawn up at a Unasur meeting in Quito.
Preval, speaking at the conference, appealed for help in “refounding” his impoverished Caribbean nation after last month’s earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people and devastated the capital Port-au-Prince.
“This meeting is a gesture that shows the cooperation of South American countries with South America countries,” Preval said, adding that Haiti’s top priority was to rebuild roads and provide basic services.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, who hosted the meeting and is trying to increase Unasur’s profile, called for a sustained response based on “South-South cooperation.”
“The massive and immediate aid provided by more industrialized countries is not always the most efficient,” said Correa. “A lot of that is lost over the medium term, leaving the country weak and with serious distortions.”
Donor nations have poured tens of millions of dollars into Haiti but the distribution of aid has sometimes been slow, prompting accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Leftist President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, an Unasur member who did not attend yesterday’s meeting, has accused the United States of using the earthquake as a pretext for the military occupation of Haiti. Thousands of U.S. soldiers are helping relief efforts and providing security in Haiti.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia offered $10 million for school reconstruction and water projects as part of the pact.
Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe attended the Unasur meeting in Quito, marking his first visit to Ecuador since diplomatic relations broke in 2008 after he ordered the bombing of a rebel camp on Ecuador’s side of the border.
