Cuba: Aid for Growth Not Just Disasters
Cuba demanded at the United Nations Tuesday that humanitarian aid be accompanied by a serious and unconditional promise for economic growth and sustainable development for developing nations.

Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca, during the General Assembly debate on humanitarian aid in cases of disaster, said that the results of humanitarian assistance should not be predetermined nor to the detriment of resources destined for development through international cooperation.

The diplomat insisted that present conditions require that development receive the attention it merits and said it was crucial that measures be adopted to reactivate the socioeconomic activities of communities affected by such disasters.

Among these measures he mentioned cancellation, significant alleviation or reprogramming of foreign debt payments and promotion of a concerted force to mobilize new and additional financial resources from among distinct sources.

Malmierca said the growing magnitude of negative consequences of natural disasters demands reinforced national prevention and preparation, and noted that for Cuba, a small and blockaded Third World country, this disinterested solidarity aid is one of its pillars of foreign policy, which, he said, should serve as an example to other, enormously rich nations.

In conclusion, the ambassador asked for "a permanent mobilization, a true spirit of human solidarity, and a strong political promised to solve the evils that feed the uncontrollable forces of natural disasters."

If that is not achieved, he concluded, the forces of the UN Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Office will be in vain.