President of the DR, Leonel Fernandez, met with for about an hour at the Presidential Palace. The President of Taiwan stopped over in Santo Domingo on his way to Haiti. As reported in Listin Diario, President Ma Ying-jeou consulted Fernandez on how best to channel aid to Haiti.

Haitian Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive was also present. Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso told journalists that President Fernandez advised the Taiwanese head of state that he believes that each donor country should care for a sector or zone because aid is now dispersed.

He said: “There is an abundance of goodwill, and we as a neighboring country see this as an opportunity to make the most of that goodwill and commit the developed countries”.

Bellerive told the press: “We have to stop what happens every time that something occurs in a country, primarily Haiti, when we talk about millions and afterwards no one knows where they went.” He said what is most important now is to plan well, plan what will be done and where, and that numbers should be discussed at a later date.

At a press conference held upon his arrival at Las Americas International Airport, said that as immediate relief, Taiwan is setting up hospitals and mobile clinics to treat injured Haitians.

He also announced the construction of 1,600 dwellings to be distributed to people made homeless by the earthquake. The Asian leader said his government would sponsor the construction of poultry farms to promote jobs in the areas where the homes will be built. “This will enable the families living in those housing projects to have a way to earn a living.”