The Colombian government Thursday asked Congress to pass legislation necessary for the country’s aid package to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, El Espectador reported.
Minister for Justice and the Interior Fabio Valencia Cossio stressed that the funds would be used exclusively for “humanitarian acts.”
Valencia Cossio called for Congress to convene in the next few days in order to debate the initiative, which involves passing a law to allow Colombia to request a loan from UNASUR, and use the funds to aid Haiti. The minister said the exact amount had not yet been confirmed.
The minister also announced that Colombia will participate in providing multilateral aid through UNASUR.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced that he would seek the extra aid package at a UNASUR special meeting on Haiti, held in Quito on Tuesday.