GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA) -- Countries around the world have been working to garner assistance for the hurricane ravaged nation of Haiti, and while this is being done individually, there is need for collaboration in bringing aid to the Haitians.

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo during a media conference on Wednesday, expressed this sentiment and explained that there is need for more involvement in the situation in Haiti, but that there is need for the United States of America to work with the Caribbean Region in this regard.

"What we called for when I was very critical of this, is not less American involvement, but more American involvement, more money, more resources but that it should be done in a collaborative fashion, where the Government of Haiti leads the show and we all support them, and that too, our region too must find some place to get our support into Haiti," the Head of State said.

Noting that the US is the only country that has the capability of dealing with the catastrophe with aircraft carriers, helicopters, troops and resources, President Jagdeo stated that there is need for understanding since the contribution of the Region is just as important.

"I just think that they need to understand the feelings of our people in the region and the dollar that we give although we are poor people, has the same importance, as money coming from the US, or their relief efforts. Why shouldn't our people's sincere, heartfelt efforts, also reach the Haitian people?" Jagdeo stated.

"I can understand why the Haitian Government has signed so many MoUs with the US but having done that, the US needs to understand that they need to work in partnership with our region too, not to shut people out and I think since then, the situation has improved tremendously because now we are working closely together co-coordinating, pooling together our efforts so I recognize the role of the US there," Jagdeo said.

Haiti was struck by an earthquake at around 17:00 h on Tuesday, January 12, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, centered approximately 15 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital damaging most of the city.