(24 Oct 08 - RV) World Bank President Robert Zoellick has warned that Haiti is at
a «tipping point» after a spate of destructive tropical storms. But he offered no
immediate debt relief for the chronically impoverished country. Ending a three-day
visit, Zoellick pledged long-term help to keep the desperately poor Caribbean nation
from falling deeper into crisis but said the bank will not forgive its share of Haiti’s
US$1.7 billion in foreign debt for at least seven months. Nearly 800 people were
confirmed dead after four devastating storms hit Haiti in August and September, washing
out roads and bridges and destroying more than half of the upcoming harvest. The UN’s
World Food Programme is working in Haiti to assist the food crisis. But WFP Information
Officer Hilary Clarke says that assistance is still needed.