Equatorial Guinea donates 2.5 million euros in aid to Cuba and Haiti
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| Published on Monday, November 3, 2008 |
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MALABO, Guinea (AFP): Equatorial Guinea has pledged 2.5 million euros (3 million dollars) in aid to Cuba and Haiti to help them recover from recent hurricanes and tropical storms, the country's state radio reported Friday.
The oil-rich African state will give 2 million euros in economic aid to Cuba and 200,000 euros for the Equatorial-Guinean population there.
The move came after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike wrought havoc there in August and September.
The government also approved 300,000 euros in "humanitarian aid" to Haiti, which was ravaged by Hurricane Fay and Tropical Storm Hanna.
The two storms killed at least 793 people and left at least half a million people homeless.
Equatorial Guinea produces 500,000 barrels of oil a day, making the country sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil producer after Angola and Nigeria.
But the population enjoys little of the wealth generated by the former Spanish colony, with most people living in poverty.
The country ranks 127th out of 177 countries in the UN Development Programme's human development index rankings. This is despite a gross domestic product of 7,874 dollars (5,085 euros) per capita, making it the 73rd richest country in the world. | | | | Reads : 910 | | | |
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