Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski made a statement Sunday on Haitian assistance efforts and the death of two Conatel staff members.

“Yesterday, the FCC was pleased to hear from our counterpart in Haiti, Mr. Montàigne Marcelin, the Director General of Conatel, for the first time since our initial outreach soon after the earthquake,” said Genachowski. “Though he survived, two of his staff did not, several are injured, and the agency’s buildings are destroyed. We stand ready to assist Mr. Marcelin and his agency in any way that we can.”

She said that every aspect of life in Haiti has been affected by the earthquake, and that the communications sector is no exception. “The immediate issues of concern are continuity of service by existing telecommunications companies,” Genachowski explained. “[…] Which are providing essential communications for Haitians and the disaster relief efforts, and their ongoing operational challenges such as access to fuel and security.”

“Haiti also can benefit from deployment of temporary communications in the country, including at refugee sites. Many companies have made significant offers of help, and urgent efforts are underway to coordinate and deliver assistance.”

Genachowski says that the FCC, under the guidance of International Bureau Chief, Mindel De La Torre, and Public Safety and Home Land Security Bureau Chief, Admiral Jamie Barnett, will continue to support government, private sector, and nonprofit efforts to help Haiti and their critical communications infrastructure needs.