(CARICOM SECRETARIAT ) -A fact-finding mission headed by the CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, is scheduled to arrive in Haiti today.

The Chairman is accompanied by Barbados Prime Minister, David Thompson, Jamaica Prime Minister, Bruce Golding and CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington, who met with the Chairman in Dominica on Wednesday evening.

The Caribbean Community, in a release, says it is deeply distressed and shocked by the enormous loss of life and devastation wrought on its Member State, in particular the capital, Port-au-Prince, by Tuesday’s powerful earthquake

“This latest setback to the development of the country will truly test the resilience of the Haitian people. Their tremendous resolve and determination however, will undoubtedly serve them in great stead as they move forward from this tragic event.

The Caribbean Community grieves with its brothers and sisters in Haiti and extends heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of that Member State and to all others who have lost family and friends,” it noted.

Prime Minister Skerrit reportedly held consultations throughout Wednesday with his colleague Heads of Government , as well as with other Leaders in the Hemisphere and according to the release, CARICOM is moving rapidly to mobilize emergency assistance. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is co-coordinating the regional response for its latest Member Haiti which joined in September 2009.