Cuba's medical aid to Haiti and the Pacific

Doctors not Guns

Cuba's medical aid to Haiti and the Pacific

The devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti threw into stark relief the contrasting approach of the Cuban government and the world's wealthiest powers. In the earthquake's aftermath, the U.S. military took over the airport and seaports and put the arrival of troops and military equipment ahead of food and medical supplies. In contrast, Cuban doctors already stationed in Haiti when the earthquake struck were the first to begin treating the injured. Cuban doctors also extend their expertise and solidarity to numerous other countries, including Pacific Island nations.

The guest speaker at this public meeting is Odalys López Sarmiento, who works for the Asia-Pacific division of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples. As part of her job, 31-year-old Odalys has travelled to a number of Asian countries to talk about Cuba. She represented Cuba at the second Bolivarian Youth Cruise, delivering lectures on Cuba to hundreds of Japanese passengers. She attended an International Conference on Peace and Against the Naval Bases, held in Ecuador last year, and has also visited Venezuela and Panama. She was member of the Cuban delegation at the III and IV Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba. She has worked with several international brigades in Cuba, among them the Southern Cross Brigade from Australia and New Zealand.

7pm, Tuesday, April 13
Trades Hall
147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Sponsored by the Auckland Cuba Friendship Society

ENDS

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